-CoSMI-

The CoSMi Collection warrants the long-term storage and distribution of marine microorganisms to be used for research and biotechnological applications, for industry and education.

CoSMiholds nearly 100 strains of unicellular, autotrophic microalgae belonging to the macro groups of diatoms, dinoflagellates, coccolithophores, and flagellates, with focus onpotentially toxic dinoflagellates and diatoms responsible for blooms.

• Distribution of microalgae
• Public deposit
• Supply of starter cultures for aquaculture

The CoSMi activities are closely related to the research activities of the phytoplankton group in OGS focusing on:

• the study of phytoplankton ecology in different marine environments to understand the dynamics of different organisms in relation with environmental conditions over different spatial and temporal scales;
• the study of phytoplankton biodiversity combining classical methods (microscopy and physiological experiments) and molecular approaches (metabarcoding);
• the study of phytoplankton biomass applications in biotechnology, with a particular focus on the use of coccolithophores in the CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage) by studying their response towards increasing CO₂, elevated nutrient conditions, and resilience to wastewater.