The National Institute of Biology (NIB)

NIB is carrying out activities in the following three thematic fields:

DS1. Large-Scale Microalgae Production for Cosmetics.

The DS will upscale microalgae cultivation to extract high-value compounds for cosmetic applications. AlgEn will optimize biomass pro- duction in large-scale bioreactors, while NIB will valorize the biomass by extracting valuable biocompounds and conducting safety, purity and utility tests.

DS2. Valorization of Fisheries and Aquaculture By-Products.

The DS will collect aquaculture and fishery by-products such as fish skin, shells, and crustacean exoskeletons, ensuring proper storage and transport. It will extract and analyze biopolymers like collagen and chitin for biomedical and cosmetic uses, assess scalability, and conduct pilot trials to optimize production for sustainable commercial application.

DS3 – Development of Innovative Sea Sponge and/or Sea Cucumber Aquaculture Systems.

The DS will assess the feasibility of cultivating sea cucumbers in controlled environments in the Gulf of Trieste, focusing on sea-bottom farming. It will monitor sea cucumber adaptability, growth, and ecological interactions, while also exploring potential applications of sea cucumber compounds in medicine, pharmaceuticals, and sustainable biomaterials.