1. December 2012
Waves Vol. 3 Issue 10
All Aboard
Currently Brazil is emerging in the international arena, as an excellent generator of
scientific development. Receptor of cooperation programs from multilateral
organizations and bilateral agencies, Brazil is implementing ambitious programs
and projects that promote international mobility, seeking to attract international
scientists to develop research projects in Brazil. Aware of this new context,
CIIMAR was invited by EMBRAPA (The Brazilian Agricultural Research
Corporation), which is one of the largest agricultural research centers in the world,
to present some of their projects which focus on various themes in Marine and
Environmental Sciences.
Climate change, anthropogenic impacts and aquaculture as an activity that will
supply the demand for food in the world, were some of the topics discussed in the
first cycle of lectures on "Studies of Marine Sciences - Experiences of the
Interdisciplinary Center of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR)" held by
video conference between Portugal and Brazil from 26 to 29 of November, 2012.
This event resulted from the bilateral coordination of two researchers: Rodrigo Ozório (CIIMAR) and Rodrigo Fujimoto (EMBRAPA-Coastal
Boards) and was attended by 14 CIIMAR speakers, 30 undergraduate students of Veterinary Medicine (Faculdade Pio X, Brazil) and Fisheries
Engineering (Universidade Federal de Sergipe, USP), one Master's student (UFS), one post-doctoral research and six senior researchers (UFS
and EMBRAPA).
The CIIMAR researchers presented a total of 14 lectures on various topics of environmental, social and economic importance, following the
precepts of sustainability. This event marked the beginning of a future partnership between these institutions and has become a landmark in
EMBRAPA-Coastal Boards, for being the first course via video conference held in that center. This cycle of lectures also delivered to Brazilian
students a more holistic vision of marine and environmental research and aroused the interest for future exchanges between Portugal and
Brazil.
Rodrigo Fujimoto (EMBRAPA) & Rodrigo Ozório (CIIMAR)
Project of the month
PHYTOBIO - Phytoremediation and bioremediation of contaminants in salt marshes:
plant – microorganisms interactions
oana Saiote
Temperate salt marshes have an important ecological role since they are not only are amongst the most productive ecosystems on Earth, but also are
Photos: Joana Rodrigues
amongst the most sensitive ecosystems, and therefore, the most difficult to clean and recover. The development of strategies to clean these ecosystems
is a current priority. Remediation methodologies using plants (phytoremediation) or/and microorganisms (bioremediation) can be a valid option due to
their capability to respond to different inorganic and organic contaminants. The aims of this project are to investigate potential plant-microorganisms
associations that could, on one hand, improve metal phytoremediation capacities of the plant and, on the other hand, improve bioremediation of
organic compounds, namely PAHs, by microorganisms in estuarine salt marshes. Following a characterization of the rhizosphere of salt marsh plants, in
terms of contaminants (metals and PAHs) and microbial communities, autochthonous microorganisms (AM) with the capacity to resist chosen
contaminants will be selected using enrichment cultures, in order to be used in laboratory experiments. Specific greenhouse experiments are planned to
ascertain the influence of microorganisms in the efficiency of plants for the removal of metals, and to understand the contribution of plants to
bioremediation of PAHs. This study will be conducted in the River Lima Estuary (NW Portugal), an urban-industrialized estuary with a large salt marsh
area, which is also the terminus of an international watershed.
Funding by FCT | Project: PTDC/MAR/099140/2008 | Responsible researcher (CIIMAR/EcoBioTec): Ana Paula Mucha
Ana Paula Mucha
December 2012, Vol 3 Issue 10 waves |waves.ciimar@gmail.com
CIIMAR |Rua dos Bragas 289, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal tel: +351 223 401 800 | www.ciimar.up.pt

2. (IN)Formation BOGA
Paper of the month
Laboratory Animal Sciences
-40 -20 0 10
training is mandatory for all
60
researchers that use vertebrate Unique Shared
laboratory animal models in their
IR(54)
experiments (mammals to fish).
Accordingly, to meet this need of IR
55
researchers, BOGA has been
organizing some training courses NP
in Laboratory Animal Sciences (LAS) (category B). CAL-AQUA, a LAS
NAC 50
course mainly focused on the use of aquatic species as laboratory
SP
animals, had three editions within a year (December 2011, June and
November 2012). The 3rd edition was held between the 19th and 23rd
of November and was again a successful event. 45
AZ
There was a gap in LAS training for researchers that work with aquatic NP(60)
models and these courses have proven to be an excellent alternative
MA 40
to the common courses mainly focused in mammals (rodents). The
course gained national visibility since we had applications from all over PM(55)
SP(26)
the country (Faro, Olhão, Lisboa, Leiria, Coimbra, Aveiro, Porto and AZ(92) 35
PM MOW
Vila Real) and representing several important institutions/universities km
(including CIIMAR, CCMAR, CESAM, ISPA, IBMC, IMM, UALG, UA, UP, 0 400 MA(60)
and UTAD). 30
The success of the past three editions of CAL-AQUA will encourage Fig. 1 - Sampling locations (sampling codes) and number of individuals in
BOGA’s team to keep organizing this kind of training/education, parenthesis. Inset, darker shaded area: putative natural range in the
northeastern Atlantic Ocean of conger eel (C. conger). IR Ireland, NP North
especially because the new Portuguese legislation will be even more
Portugal, SP South Portugal, AZ Azores, MA Madeira, PM Mallorca. Currents
demanding with this subject. In this way, LAS training will be crucial for depicted: NAC North Atlantic surface current, MOW Mediterranean outflow
all researchers that will work in BOGA and that is why we are also centred near 1,000 m water depth, adapted from Reid 1979 (in Khélifi et al.
preparing some basic training in LAS, also with a focus on aquatic 2009). Left pies represent the proportion of shared and private haplotypes in
species as the main laboratory animals (category A courses). each sampling location.
Together we will have more and better research in BOGA-CIIMAR!!
Population structure and connectivity of the European conger eel
Hugo Santos (Conger conger) across the north-eastern Atlantic and western
Mediterranean: integrating molecular and otolith elemental
approaches
Correia, AT, Ramos, A, Barros, F, Silva, G, Hammer, P, Morais, P,
Open Positions Cunha, RL, Castilho, R. 2012.
Marine Biology (2012)
► Two Research grants – Master degree Genetic variation (mtDNA) of the European conger eel, Conger conger,
was compared across five locations in the north-eastern Atlantic
CIIMAR is now opening one research grant position for a master (Madeira, Azores, South Portugal, North Portugal and Ireland) and one
student at 100% and another one for a master student at 50% within location in the western Mediterranean (Mallorca). Genetic diversity of
the framework of the project "CertPiscis – Recovery of fish products conger eel was high, and differentiation among regions was not
from the River Minho" significant. Additionally, comparisons of elemental Ca ratios (Sr:Ca,
Location: Rio Minho Aquamuseu, Vila Nova de Cerveira Ba:Ca, Mn:Ca and Mg:Ca) in otolith cores (larval phase) and edges (3
Duration: Six months from January, 2013. months prior to capture) among the Azores, North Portugal, Madeira
Application Dates: From 5th to 19th of December, 2012. and Mallorca regions for two years indicated that variation among
regions were greater for edges than cores. Therefore, while benthic
► Research grant (BI) conger may display residency at regional scales, recruitment may not
necessarily be derived from local spawning and larval retention.
CIIMAR is now opening one research grant position for a licentiate Furthermore, data from otoliths suggest a separated replenishment
student under the project "Secondary metabolites and nitrogen source for western Mediterranean and NE Atlantic stocks. The
fixation in benthic marine cyanobacteria: how different their
combination of genetics and otolith chemistry suggests a population
freshwater counterparts?" with the reference FCOMP-01-ERDF-
model for conger eel involving a broad-scale dispersal of larvae, with
010600-0124.
limited connectivity for benthic juvenile life stages at large spatial
Location: CIIMAR scales, although the existence of one or multiple spawning grounds for
Duration: Three months from January, 2013. the species remains uncertain.
Application Dates: From 6th to 19th of December, 2012.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00227-012-1936-3
December 2012, Vol 3 Issue 10 waves |waves.ciimar@gmail.com
CIIMAR |Rua dos Bragas 289, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal tel: +351 223 401 800 | www.ciimar.up.pt

3. 30 Minutes of conversation
with a scientist
As part of the Science & Technology Week 2012 and the National Day
of Scientific Culture, CIIMAR in partnership with the Centers for
Environmental Monitoring and Interpretation of Matosinhos and Vila
do Conde, held in the schools of Porto, on November 23, the activity
"30 minute conversation with a scientist”.
The initiative was attended by 19 schools of the metropolitan area of
Porto and involved 954 students from primary to secondary schools.
http://tv.up.pt/videos/bKb95D3z
Teacher's Testimonial:
"Awakening to the fascinating world of science"
Maria das Dores, Escola Básica Frei João, Vila do Conde
“A great way to make science more accessible to everyone, especially
for students who rarely have the opportunity to be with a true
scientist”
Isabel Moura, Escola Secundária de Águas Santas
“A unique moment (...) thank you for this opportunity”
Carla Cruz, Escola E.B 2,3 de Leça do Balio
Open Calls TED TALKS
► BiodivERsA joint call on “Invasive Species and Biological Invasions”
Jonathan Trent:
Main scientific themes for the call:
Energy from floating algae pods
T1: Demonstrating and characterising the impacts of biological invaders
T2: Understanding mechanisms of biological invasions and levers for mitigating
Jonathan Trent works at NASA’s nanotechnology
and/or reversing the impacts of biological invaders
department, where he builds microscopic devices
T3: Evaluating the interactions between biological invasions and other global
out of proteins from extremophiles -- bacteria that
environmental changes
live in the world’s harshest environments. It isn’t
T4: Biological invasions and public perceptions
the logical place to start a biofuel project.
T5: Biological invasions and adaptation
Procedures and eligibility: But in 2008, after watching enzymes chomp through plant cells, Trent started
A one-stage application procedure is applied, with a mandatory pre-registration thinking about biofuels. And, because he has a background in marine biology,
until 14th December. he started thinking about algae and the oceans.
Project consortia should consist of a minimum of three partners from three
different countries participating in the call. www.ted.com/talks/jonathan_trent_energy_from_floating_algae_pods.html
www.biodiversa.org/367
► ERA-CAPS joint call on “Expanding the European Research Area in
Molecular Plant Sciences”
Main scientific themes for the call:
The first joint call launched by ERA-CAPS is intended to allow maximum Waves - CIIMAR Newsletter
engagement of the plant science community and is therefore broad in scope,
covering all areas of molecular plant science.
Procedures and eligibility:
Coordinator: J. Saiote
A one-stage application procedure is applied; Editors: V. Vasconcelos, L.F.C. Castro, J.M. Wilson
Deadline: 15 February 2013. and J. Saiote
Project consortia should consist of a minimum of three partners from three Contributors: Alberto Correia; Ana Paula Mucha,
different countries, at least two of them being a participating ERA-CAPS partner
Hugo Santos; Rodrigo Fujimoto Rodrigo Ozorio;
or observer country.
Susana Moreira
www.eracaps.org/joint-calls/era-caps-calls
Design: J. Saiote
► IJUP2012-BUSINESS
Integrated into the “IJUP-Programa de iniciação à investigação da Universidade
do Porto”, the IJUP2012-BUSINESS intends to fund R&D projects in collaboration
with the following enterprises: UNICER, SOJA DE PORTUGAL, LIPOR, and “Deus ao mar o perigo e o abismo deu,
SOGRAPE.
Deadline: 14 December 2012. Mas nele é que espelhou o céu.” F. Pessoa
www.ijup.up.pt/pluridisciplinares/
Susana Moreira
December 2012, Vol 3 Issue 10 waves |waves.ciimar@gmail.com
CIIMAR |Rua dos Bragas 289, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal tel: +351 223 401 800 | www.ciimar.up.pt