Abstract
Coral reefs are one of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world and provide support for food, medicine, and tourism to the local population. This fascinating ecosystem is threatened by decline due to climate changes and human-related activity. It has been estimated that by the end of 2050, 50% of the reefs will be damaged. Massive events of coral disease outbreaks and coral bleaching are becoming more frequent every year. Researchers are making several efforts in the direction of healing, restoring, and rescuing the reefs, but most of their approaches have been unsuccessful in arresting the progression of this ecological drama. Here, innovative and advanced strategies combining knowledge in materials science, pharmaceutics, marine sciences, and ecology will be presented with the hope of giving a chance of survival for this millennial underwater paradise.
Bibliography
Dr. Marco Contardi has a master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology and a Ph.D. in Bioengineering and Biomaterials. He has a strong background in pharmaceutics and materials science, and he does research in the fields of biomedicine, biomaterials, mycelium-based materials, and underwater materials for saving and rescuing coral reefs. Currently, he is an Assistant Professor at the University of Milano-Bicocca and an Affiliated Researcher at the IIT in the Smart Materials group. He is teaching “Engineering, characterization, and degradation of polymers in the marine environment” in the international Marine Sciences course at the University of Milan-Bicocca.