• A Modern Approach to Design.

    Epsilon is a modern, sectioned based design, with a diverse infusion of background textures and patterns. These enrich and differentiate your site whilst maintaining an overall conservative approach, for flexible site application. Read More
  • Background Slideshow

    Epsilon provides for full width, custom, transitional background images, in the slideshow position, a full width container, specifically designed for RokSprocket's Features layout. It also has separate options for per panel background and content images. Read More
  • Custom Animation

    Animation provides an extended layout of visual flair as well as smooth interaction for your visitors, to facilitate the seamless experience of using your site. RokSprocket Features benefits from a custom, per-panel array of up to 16 animation types. Read More
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  • CNR - ISE MICROBIAL ECOLOGY GROUP

    CNR ISE Epsilon provides for full width, custom, transitional background images, in the slideshow position, a full width container, specifically designed for RokSprocket's Features layout. It also has separate options for per panel background and content images. Read More
  • A Modern Approach to Design.

    Epsilon is a modern, sectioned based design, with a diverse infusion of background textures and patterns. These enrich and differentiate your site whilst maintaining an overall conservative approach, for flexible site application. Read More
  • Custom Animation

    Animation provides an extended layout of visual flair as well as smooth interaction for your visitors, to facilitate the seamless experience of using your site. RokSprocket Features benefits from a custom, per-panel array of up to 16 animation types. Read More
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • Custom Animation

    Animation provides an extended layout of visual flair as well as smooth interaction for your visitors, to facilitate the seamless experience of using your site. RokSprocket Features benefits from a custom, per-panel array of up to 16 animation types. Read More
  • Background Slideshow

    Epsilon provides for full width, custom, transitional background images, in the slideshow position, a full width container, specifically designed for RokSprocket's Features layout. It also has separate options for per panel background and content images. Read More
  • A Modern Approach to Design.

    Epsilon is a modern, sectioned based design, with a diverse infusion of background textures and patterns. These enrich and differentiate your site whilst maintaining an overall conservative approach, for flexible site application. Read More
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • A Modern Approach to Design.

    Epsilon is a modern, sectioned based design, with a diverse infusion of background textures and patterns. These enrich and differentiate your site whilst maintaining an overall conservative approach, for flexible site application. Read More
  • Background Slideshow

    Epsilon provides for full width, custom, transitional background images, in the slideshow position, a full width container, specifically designed for RokSprocket's Features layout. It also has separate options for per panel background and content images. Read More
  • Custom Animation

    Animation provides an extended layout of visual flair as well as smooth interaction for your visitors, to facilitate the seamless experience of using your site. RokSprocket Features benefits from a custom, per-panel array of up to 16 animation types. Read More
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • Custom Animation

    Animation provides an extended layout of visual flair as well as smooth interaction for your visitors, to facilitate the seamless experience of using your site. RokSprocket Features benefits from a custom, per-panel array of up to 16 animation types. Read More
  • Background Slideshow

    Epsilon provides for full width, custom, transitional background images, in the slideshow position, a full width container, specifically designed for RokSprocket's Features layout. It also has separate options for per panel background and content images. Read More
  • A Modern Approach to Design.

    Epsilon is a modern, sectioned based design, with a diverse infusion of background textures and patterns. These enrich and differentiate your site whilst maintaining an overall conservative approach, for flexible site application. Read More
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • CNR-IRSA MOLECULAR ECOLOGY GROUP

    The MEG at the Water Research Institute (CNR-IRSA) in Verbania investigates the ecology and the interactions between microbes and small organisms in waters and in other environments. The MEG applies the general ecological theory to understand microbial environments and their evolution.

    (read more)

  • BACTERIAL COMMUNITY PROFILES

    A number of environmental factors shape the microbial community and influence the social behaviour of bacteria in waters. We are interested in community ecology, cooperation, symbiosis, and in the impact of allochtonous factors in shaping communities.

    (read more)

  • WORK WITH US AT THE MEG !

    A number of research projects for postdoc, phd, and master students, as well as short research stays are running at the MEG, from antibiotic resistance to epi- and endobiotic bacteria, from cave ecosystems to spiders, from freshwaters to the human gut... If you want to work with us check the Open Positions page or send us an email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

    (read more)

  • ECOLOGY AND SYSTEMATICS OF ROTIFERS

    We describe species and population diversity in the phylum Rotifera trying to understand the evolutionary processes originating and maintaining such diversity.

    (read more)

  • MICROBIAL ECOLOGY IN REMOTE AREAS

    Through a number of cooperations the MEG is investigating organisms, species and communities in polar areas, in high mountain lakes in the Alps in Italy and Switzerland, in Central America, in Patagonia, in Polynesia, in the Azores, and in pristine areas in the Mediterranean Sea.
  • ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE IN ENVIRONMENT

    The development of antibiotic resistant microorganisms is a major threath for human health. We study the spread of resistances in bacterial communities in open waters, in WWTPS, in animals, soils, and crops. Through experimental systems, in situ studies and modelling we study the role of antibiotic resistance as a specific ecological factor able to shape the natural microbial communities.

    (read more)

LatestNews

Latest News from the group: New articles, projects, collaborations and general news from the MEG. Click on the any News to access the related content, or HERE for the NEWS ARCHIVE.

lando

3/10/2022 New MEG article in L&O! "Oxygenation of a karst subterranean estuary during a tropical cyclone: mechanisms and implications for the carbon cycle" by David and friends is now online.

astro

15/7/2022 The MEG goes to space! "Metagenome Analysis Reveals a Response of the Antibiotic Resistome to Mars-like Extraterrestrial Conditions" published in Astrobiology!.

jhazmat

4/5/2022 New MEG article on MPs in the Journal of Hazardous Materials! "PET particles raise microbiological concerns for human health while tyre wear microplastic particles potentially affect ecosystem services in waters” by Gianluca, Belen, Raffaella and the MEG.

aem

13/4/2022 New MEG article Editor's pick in AEM! "Zooplankton as a Transitional Host for Escherichia coli in Freshwater" by Ester, Andrea, and the MEG.

prin

18/11/2021 New Research Project PRIN awarded by the MEG! "Identification and isolation of antibiotic resistance gene containing freshwater bacteria in an eco-evolutionary frame (IdeARG)” PI: Ester.

atcnr

5/11/2021 New Research Project @CNR awarded by the MEG! "Novel Ecology-Based Solution to Optimize the Treatment of Urban Sewage Waters (ECOTREAT)” PI: Gianluca, team: Stefano, Andrea, Laura and Tomasa.

envpollll

15/9/2021 New MEG article on bio-microplastic particles on Environmental Pollution: "Bioplastic accumulates antibiotic and metal resistance genes in coastal marine sediments” with our colleagues from the Texas AeM University-Corpus Christi.

watress

15/6/2021 New MEG article on the colonization of microplastic particles in Water Research! "Contribution of microplastic particles to the spread of resistances and pathogenic bacteria in treated wastewaters”.

natclch

25/5/2021 New MEG contribution in Nature Climate Change:"Don’t forget subterranean ecosystems in climate change agendas", by Stefano and coworkers.

MEG Twitter

Follow the MEG on Twitter The MEG is twitting @meg_verbania, follow us and keep updated on the latest news from the MEG!

MEG Scholar page online!

MEG Scholar page online Keep informed on our group published articles by clicking here or following us on Scholar!

MEG Running Projects

SPARE-SEA Project

SPARE-SEA Project

Joint JPI Acquatic Pollutants 2021-24 SPARE-SEA: Environmental Spread and Persistence of Antibiotic REsistances in aquatic Systems Exposed to oyster Aquaculture. Italian Coord. G. CornoPartners: AWI Kiel, IFREMER Montpellier, Uni Genoa, IRTA Terragona
CIPAIS 2022-24

CIPAIS 2022-24

A large monitoring project of Lake Maggiore, co-funded by Italy and Switzerland. We periodically measure the bacterial resistome, TEP, phyto- and zooplankton diversity in the lake. Ref. G. Corno and D. Fontaneto
MSCFellow REDTEAR

MSCFellow REDTEAR

Marie Curie Fellow 2021-24 REDTEAR: The Role of free Extracellular DNA in determining The Environmental Antibiotic Resistome. Resp. A. Di Cesare, Graphic Courtesy: A. Dell'Anno
AENEAS Project 2019-21

AENEAS Project 2019-21

Microplastics: their role in the spread of antibiotic resistance in marine systems. Funded by AXA Foundation. Ref. G. Corno and M.B. SathicqPartners: UN University, EPFL Lausanne, Uni Pisa
LTER Lake Maggiore

LTER Lake Maggiore

Within the frame of the project LTER we measure bacterial abundances and microbial community composition of Lake Maggiore. Ref. R. BertoniPartners: LTER net
ECOTREAT Project 2022-24

ECOTREAT Project 2022-24

Lets ECOLOGY play its role! We are designing a new final treatment of urban wastewaters without any chemical nor physical disinfection! Ref. G. Corno Partner: Acqua Novara.VCO
WARFARE Project 2019-22

WARFARE Project 2019-22

Novel wastewater disinfection treatments to mitigate the spread of antibiotic resistance in agriculture. Funded by Cariplo Foundation. Ref. G. Corno and A. Di Cesare Partners: Uni Genova, Uni Milan, Padania Acque
CNR-BA - Symbiosis between animals

CNR-BA - Symbiosis between animals

Patterns and inference on processes: Ita-Rus coop to understand symbiosis between microscopic animals, especially rotifers and crustaceans. Partner: RFBR
Biodiversa+ DarCO

Biodiversa+ DarCO

DarCo seeks to promote the conservation of subterranean ecosystems across Europe PI: Stefano Mammola
AQST Project Lake Varese 2019-23

AQST Project Lake Varese 2019-23

Large project of restoration of polluted Lake Varese funded by the Lombardy Governement. We study pathobiome and resistome of the area. Ref. G. Corno
PELAGICS Project 2020-24

PELAGICS Project 2020-24

A Pan-European network on 70 lakes for stable cultivation, whole-genome sequencing and terabyte-scale deep-metagenomic sequencing to obtain 1000s of genomes of pro-, eukaryotes and viruses. Ref. C. Callieri
IdeARG Project 2022-24

IdeARG Project 2022-24

PRIN 2020 Project: Identification and isolation of antibiotic resistance gene containing freshwater bacteria in an eco-evolutionary frame. Ref. E. Eckert

The MEG team

Diego Fontaneto

Diego Fontaneto

RESEARCH DIRECTOR. Travels, collects friends to travel with, gets invitations for talks to travel... and then he travels.

Gianluca Corno

Gianluca Corno

SENIOR RESEARCHER. Organizes social events, fights against bureaucracy, plays with microbes in bottles.

Ester Eckert

Ester Eckert

RESEARCHER. So far nothing came out of the experiment, here is the microbiome, I’m sure you’ll find something...

Andrea Di Cesare

Andrea Di Cesare

RESEARCHER. Always under extreme self imposed stress. Needs holidays but the world is lockdown...

Alejandro Martinez Garcia

Alejandro Martinez Garcia

RESEARCHER. In Vino Veritas in Whisky Vomitas, In Vino Veritas in Whisky Vomitas (nah, it is just a song!)

Stefano Mammola

Stefano Mammola

RESEARCHER. Keeps Ale and Diego calm, tries to convince all of us that spiders are in fact very big microorganisms

Emanuele Ferrari

Emanuele Ferrari

RESEARCHER. Former neuroscientist, unsure on what he is doing at MEG: do bacteria have brain?

Laura Garzoli

Laura Garzoli

RESEARCHER. Dark MEG-mber. There are a fungus, a bat, and a crayfish.. no it’s not a joke, it’s my expertise...

Cristiana Callieri

Cristiana Callieri

ASSOCIATE RESEARCHER. Takes care of Roberto's diet, scares students, used to love microscopy... till she met a cytometer.

Roberto Bertoni

Roberto Bertoni

ASSOCIATE RESEARCHER. Spreads knowledge, speaks Latin, knows limnology... fights to escape diets.

Raffaella Sabatino

Raffaella Sabatino

POST-DOCTORAL FELLOW. Every morning I arrive and I know I must extract DNA. It’s the law of the MEG!

David Brankovits

David Brankovits

POST-DOCTORAL FELLOW. Dives in the dark. Brings people together. Ponders how organisms mess with the carbon cycle.

Sivalingam Periyasamy

Sivalingam Periyasamy

POST-DOCTORAL FELLOW. The microbiome is a mystery in the environment. I think I am disturbing it!!!

Tomasa Sbaffi

Tomasa Sbaffi

POST-DOCTORAL FELLOW. I am happy to do a job that requires little physical efforts...

Jordi Rene Mor

Jordi Rene Mor

POST-DOCTORAL FELLOW. Passionate about trophic networks... in the field, in lab, markets, restaurants, festivals...

Giulia Borgomaneiro

Giulia Borgomaneiro

RESEARCH FELLOW. Whats next? Whats next? Whats next? Whats next? Whats next? Whats next? Whats next?

Ilaria Vaccarelli

Ilaria Vaccarelli

PhD STUDENT. I study invisible things in totally dark places.. I have a great imagination!

Veronica Nanni

Veronica Nanni

PhD STUDENT. If trees gave off Wifi signals, we would plant so many trees and we'd probably save the planet too.

Giulia Lin

Giulia Lin

MASTER STUDENT. I am not invited when cakes are offered!!! Should I take it as personal?

Lorenzo Cresi

Lorenzo Cresi

MASTER STUDENT. Here to study dark caves and small animals living there... but also to confirm the existence of fun!

Marika Maranzano

Marika Maranzano

MASTER STUDENT. The whole sentence is still missing, will it come? Nobody knows it... Ask Ale!?!

Elena Dellatorre

Elena Dellatorre

MASTER STUDENT. Biology is able to satisfy your needs for curiosity!

Corina Sciascia Zmau

Corina Sciascia Zmau

MASTER STUDENT. Always remember that you are absolutely unique. Just like everyone else.

Evelina Crippa

Evelina Crippa

TECHNICAL ASSISTANT. If you need anything from our labs ask her, she is the only one knowing where things are...