Antarctic sponges as prokaryotic diversity and biotechnology hot-spots

Polar Regions are experiencing multiple environmental stressors and the increasing contaminant influxes are likely becoming more severe. As filter-feeders, in Porifera ingestion becomes the primary route in the uptake and accumulation of particle-associated contaminants, which may accumulate in animal tissues. Porifera also provide an important habitat for aquatic prokaryotes that colonize outer surfaces and interstices of ostia and oscula, and may be particularly responsive against contaminants accumulated in the sponge tissues. Symbiotic microorganisms can adhere to the sponge surfaces by forming biofilm with complex 3D-structures, composed by microbial consortia encased in an extracellular polymeric substances. The exopolymeric substances possess high biotechnological potentialities with applications in biomedical, cosmetic, food and environmental fields. Despite Porifera are abundant invertebrates in Antarctica, the associated prokaryotic communities and their biotechnological potentialities were largely disregarded. Funded by the Italian PNRA, the P3 project "Antarctic Porifera: Hot-spots for Prokaryotic diversity and biotechnological Potentialities"" (PNRA16_00020) will aim at linking the ecological traits (e.g., phylogenetic diversity and metabolic activities) and biotechnological potential (e.g., biofilm production, pollutant degradation) of prokaryotes associated with Antarctic Porifera by applying a multidisciplinary approach.