**About the Editors**

## **Carmela Caroppo**

Dr. Carmela Caroppo received her Master's degree in Biological Sciences (1988) and specialization in Marine Biochemistry (1994) from the University of Bari (Italy). Currently, she has been working as a researcher at the Water Research Institute of the National Research Council. Her major research interest in the ecology of phytoplankton in various marine ecosystems, from temperate to polar waters. She also worked on the impact of harmful microalgae on aquaculture and on the isolation and culturing of microalgal and cyanobacterial strains for biotechnological applications. She participated in several national and international projects and is the author of about 100 publications in national and international journals.

## **Patrizia Pagliara**

Dr. Patrizia Pagliara is a researcher at the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and Technologies (University of Salento, Italy) since 2001. She received her PhD in Biology and Biotechnologies in 2003. The main areas of interest include the invertebrates immune defense strategies and the identification and characterization of novel bioactive substances from marine organisms. A fruitful collaboration with Dr. Carmela Caroppo from CNR has made it possible to know and study the world of microorganisms, focusing on their bioactive compounds. She is author of more than 60 papers published in national and international journals.
