Round 2

Marta Abbà

Nationality

Italian

Career-level

Established

Host institution

University of Milano-Bicocca

Italy

Residency project

Improbable secrets of biodiversity unravelable with unimaginable uses of DNA

Are we making the most of DNA barcoding and DNA metabarcoding to protect biodiversity? Do we really know ALL the possible uses? NO. Papers and articles abound, but there are those who dare to say NO. We go around it, thinking we know everything, but there is so much unknown to investigate. If we do not do it, we throw away opportunities.

I will report the challenge of 3 researchers who want to discover unusual ways of applying these approaches, to unveil yet ‘invisible’ species and their secret links with each other or the ‘already known’, and then to find new ways of turning biodiversity into an ally (against disease, fraud, climate crisis, pollution).

It is more complex than research in fields yet to be explored: in this one, we think we have already crossed the fronties. But this is not the case. All uses of these 2 approaches will be investigated, except those that everyone knows, thinking they know everything.

To deepen this challenge extremely urgent (also for EU Restoration Law) and with totally unpredictable and constantly evolving results (also due to the climate crisis), I will follow the researchers to cover different areas (birds, plants, insects, and fish) and learn about their specific challenges. I want to find out with them how to cross scientific frontiers, taking part in sample collections (in forests, cities, agricultural areas, mountains…), workshops also with PhD students, and meetings with international colleagues.

All these to report on their crossing the frontier in the publications I work with, including international ones, as well as on Instagram and on Linkedin for different targets. It will also be useful to gain more knowledge for my future reportages and to co-design with researchers initiatives dedicated to the relationship between science and journalism, with students and journalists. To start a debate and build a f uture of virtuous science journalism and teamwork.