VE_PRIN_VIRIDE (DTA.AD002.622)

Thematic area

Earth system science and environmental technologies

Project area

Structure responsible for the research project

Marine science institute (ISMAR)

Project manager

LUCIA BONGIORNI
Phone number: +39 0412407953
Email: lucia.bongiorni@ve.ismar.cnr.it

Abstract

Viruses represent a major cause of mortality of marine organisms, but their diversity and ecological role in the deep-sea ecosystems is still largely unknown. The project VIRIDE will test the hypothesis that: 1) deep-sea viruses can control microbial diversity and their functions; 2) global change and anthropogenic pressures can exacerbate the impact of viral infections on the deep sea, with cascade effects on ecosystem goods and services. VIRIDE will face unprecedented technological challenges, integrating large-scale sampling, in situ manipulative experiments (ROVs) and laboratory experiments using new approaches and methodologies. The project will investigate the microbial components infected by viruses and the impact on deep-sea biodiversity and ecosystem processes and the effects of climate change and anthropogenic stressors on viruses, their hosts and functions. VIRIDE is based on close collaboration among highly qualified researchers and with an inter-disciplinary approach, The ground-breaking nature of VIRIDE will allow to produce an unprecedented advancement in the knowledge of the diversity, biotic interactions and functioning of deep-sea ecosystems.

Goals

VIRIDAE objectives are built on four main hypothesis: 1) viruses control the biodiversity and shape the relationships between biodiversity and functioning in benthic deep-sea ecosystems, thus influencing the overall production of goods and services, 2) global climate change and anthropogenic stressors can exacerbate the impact of viral infections on deep-sea life, with important consequences for deep-sea ecosystem functioning. To test these hypotheses VIRIDE aims at exploring, through a multidisciplinary approach and sophisticated technologies, virus-host interactions in the deep sea.
In particular the main objectives of the project are: 1) to identify the microbial components infected by viruses and the impact of virus-induced mortality on deep-sea biodiversity; 2) to quantify the impact of viral infections on deep-sea ecosystem processes and functions; 3) to assess the impact of viral infections on the relationships between biodiversity and ecosystem functioning; 4) to investigate the effects of global changes (temperature and food supply shifts) and anthropogenic stressors on virus-host interactions and the consequences on deep-sea ecosystem functions.

Start date of activity

01/05/2020

Keywords

Deep-Sea ecosystems, Marine viruses, Benthic biodiversity

Last update: 18/04/2024