CIIMAR’s Neptune Seminar with Sandra Pereira | Boca da Baleia
Marine biofouling, the accumulation of organisms on submerged surfaces, is traditionally controlled with biocidal coatings harmful to marine ecosystems. Growing regulatory restrictions have driven the search for sustainable alternatives. This study explored the marine cyanobacterium Leptothoe sp. LEGE 181152, leading to the isolation of two nucleosides – adenosine and 2′-deoxyadenosine – reported here for the first time as antifouling agents. These effectively inhibited mussel settlement without causing mortality and showed selective activity against eukaryotic fouling species. Mechanistic studies linked their activity to acetylcholinesterase modulation and proteins involved in adhesion and motility, while ecotoxicity tests supported low environmental risk. These findings highlight cyanobacteria as promising sources of eco-friendly antifouling agents for sustainable marine coatings.
Sandra Pereira is a biologist and PhD student in the Marine Biotechnology and Aquaculture program at the University of Porto. She is part of the Bioinspired Ocean Interfaces and Blue Biotechnology and Environmental Health teams at CIIMAR, where she explores cyanobacteria as sources of sustainable antifouling compounds. Her research integrates efficacy testing, mechanistic analysis, and environmental risk assessment to discover natural molecules that prevent marine biofouling while preserving ecosystem health.
In case of any questions, please contact CIIMAR’s Seminar team, Marta Monteiro, Miguel Semedo, & Paulo Oliveira, at seminars@ciimar.up.pt
External members of CIIMAR should send an email to slopes@ciimar.up.pt, requesting authorization to enter the Porto Cruise Terminal area
CIIMAR members can also access last seminars recordings through the LINK.
