Development of foraminiferal-based biotechnologies for the mitigation of the anthropogenic impact and restoration of marine ecosystems

Marine pollution has increasingly damaged aquatic ecosystems, posing severe threats to marine biota and human health. Finding strategies and solutions to mitigate and address marine pollution has become a global priority. Recent advancements in marine biotechnology have opened new possibilities for using marine organisms to address marine pollution and global climate challenges. While benthic foraminifera, single-celled marine organisms, have been widely used as bioindicators of pollution, their potential as bioremediators remains largely unexplored. This PhD thesis pioneers the development of a novel benthic foraminiferal-based biotechnology, using a step-by-step approach. A cost-effective, homemade electric stimulator is introduced, capable of generating customized electric stimulation patterns using an Arduino board and minimal components. This device enables precise studies of electric fields on benthic foraminifera, representing a significant step in advancing marine ecosystem research. The effects of electric stimulation on the viability of a larger benthic foraminiferal species Amphistegina lessonii are then evaluated with the threshold electrical density range identified. Cellular and physiological responses to electric stimulation are further analyzed using a multidisciplinary approach. Key biomarkers, including proteins and enzymes, are employed to assess oxidative stress at the cellular level, while single-cell transcriptomic analysis reveals metabolic responses. Additionally, the photosynthetic activity of symbionts in Amphistegina lobifera under electric stimulation is also investigated. Building on these findings, the potential of electric stimulation to promote the precipitation of dissolved ions in seawater and its effects on the growth rate of A. lobifera are examined. This thesis highlights the potential for further research to optimize conditions for benthic foraminiferal growth, aiming to facilitate the development of innovative applications of electric stimulation in environmental biotechnology.