University of Cagliari
PhD Program in Life, Environmental and Drug Sciences
- Role
- Dottorando
- nicola.arru@unica.it
- Address
- Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, S.S. 554 bivio per Sestu | 09042 Monserrato CA
Curriculum: Animal and Human Biology, and Ecology
Supervisor: Pierantonio Addis
Co-Supervisor: Andrea Sabatini
Curriculum Vitae
Nicola received his Bachelor’s Degree in Toxicology from the University of Cagliari in 2019 with the experimental thesis “Determination of Δ9-THC and CBD content by LCMS-qTOF in oleolite samples”.
In September 2019 he carried out an internship at the University of Cagliari, Food Chemistry Analysis Laboratory, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences entitled “Improvement of HPLC and GC analytical techniques applied to food and the environment”.
In 2019, he won the research fellowship “Development of an LC-MS-QTOF method for the characterization of sheep milk samples within the research project “BIOMILKCHINA”, POR FESR Sardinia 2014-2020”.
From December 2019 to June 2021 he worked as performer of chemical and physical analysis, at LOGICA Cooperative Society (OR) with the particular task of studying the strategies for reducing the use of plastic materials and monitoring of environmental contamination by microplastics in fish supply chains in aquaculture.
In 2021 he obtained the research fellowship “Health and toxicological characterization of feed for use in fish farms” in the context of the research project “Bugs&Fish”, POR FESR Sardinia 2014-2020 Education and in 2022 he secured the research fellowship “Definition of the nutritional and food security characteristics of formulated spirulina”, as part of the research project project entitled “Spirulinanoa for businesses” as part of the R&D Agroindustria program Fund for development and cohesion 2014-2020 Action line 3.A.1.1. Research support interventions, stipulation 27/10/2020, Cup F74I20000070001. Sardinia.
He graduated with a Master’s Degree in 2023 in Chemical Sciences with the experimental thesis “Extraction, purification and preliminary characterization of phycocyanin’’.
In December 2023, he was granted a PNRR scholarship and joined the XXXIX Cycle of PhD program in Life, Environment and Drug Sciences at the University of Cagliari, under the supervision of Professor Pierantonio Addis (PNRR “EMBRC UP” NextGenerationEU, Mission 4. CUPC63C22000570001 MUR Project Code IR0000035) in collaboration with Anton Dohrn Zoological Station. The doctoral project “BIO-Bank: catalog of behavioural, biochemical and physiological responses of marine organisms conditioned in mesocosms” has as its objective the establishment of mesocosms in order to create habitats that reproduce as faithfully as possible the optimal subsistence conditions of the invertebrates within the Technological Aquaria Rak system (TARs), an aquarium system designed to maintain dedicated life-support conditions for the individual species.
Research Topic
Ecotoxicological Study of Behavioral, Biochemical, and Physiological Responses of Marine and Lagoon Species from Sardinia in Model Aquarium Systems
Abstract
Nicola Arru's PhD project aims to investigate the behavioral, biochemical, and physiological responses of key marine invertebrates. The research focuses on their reaction to various chemical-physical environmental stimuli, environmental contaminants, and food stimuli. The primary objective is the creation of a biobank, a systematic digital catalog of these responses. This catalog will be essential for research and conservation of marine ecosystems.
The methodology involves the use of TARs (Technological Advanced Respirometry Systems), which allow continuous monitoring of environmental and biological parameters in controlled mesocosms. Experiments will be conducted to analyze the impact of variables such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen. The effects of food stimuli (micro and macro-algae) and environmental contaminants like mineral oil saturated hydrocarbons (MOSH) and mineral oil aromatic hydrocarbons (MOAH) will also be studied. Selected model species include the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis), the Ruditapes decussatus clam, the green crab (Carcinus aestuarii), the sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus), and the blue crab (Callinectes sapidus). The research utilizes behavioral analysis via video tracking (ANY-maze) and chemical analyses such as GC-MS for contaminants. The project aims to provide a better understanding of the impacts of environmental stressors on marine organisms, contributing to the development of management and conservation strategies.
Publications