Summary
The project STORAGE aims at assessing the colonization of PVC coupons by micro- and macroplanktonic organisms via structural and microbiological characterization of biofilms in Deception and Livingston Islands in South Shetlands.

Objectives
The STORAGE proposal aims to study:
- the dynamics of biofouling process, with regard to the abundance, activity, and structure of the bacterial colonizers;
- the biotechnological potential of the biofilm-associated microbial communities in terms of metabolites and hydrolytic/oxidative enzymes;
- the composition and structure of the macrobenthic communities.
 
The following specific objectives are planned:
- Structural characterization by spectroscopy of the biofilm developed on PVC
- Determination of microbial biofilm abundance, activity, composition and structure
- Screening of bacterial isolates to verify their ability to form biofilm and their profiles of susceptibility to antibiotics.
- Screening of microbial isolates for production of bioactive molecules (enzymes, secondary metabolites) andi for potential plastic-degrading candidate.

Project Partners
• University of Insubria, Dept. DBSV, Varese
• University of Messina, Dept. MIFT, Messina
• University of Messina, Dept. BIOMORF, Messina
• CNR- IRSA, Rome
• CNR- IRSA, Taranto
• University of Barcelona (Spain), Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences