ParAqua aims at compiling and making available all information on the occurrence of zoosporic parasites (i.e., aquatic fungi and fungi-like microorganisms) and their relationship with hosts, elucidate drivers and evaluate impacts of parasitism in natural and man-made aquatic environments. It is therefore necessary to implement new tools for monitoring and prevention of infections, and to create protocols and a Decision Support Tool for detecting and controlling parasites in the microalgae biotech production.
The final goal is to build and integrate a database on zoosporic parasites across Europe and inventories parasite effects on algal hosts in algal biotech and natural systems in order to provide a tool to help researchers and companies to take early data-informed decisions for algae cultures and parasite recognition. LifeWatch Italy contributes to the project coordinating the actions to collect and manage the data provided by the project participants through an interactive web page and on-line catalogue of aquatic zoosporic parasites, their hosts and their occurrence.
