Porto Conte Ricerche: Advancing Science for Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation
Located in Alghero, Sardinia, Porto Conte Ricerche (PCR) manages the Alghero centre of the Technology Park of Sardinia, where science and innovation meet to serve local development.
Through its advanced laboratories, technology platforms, and interdisciplinary expertise, PCR fosters collaboration between research and business — turning knowledge into tangible solutions that strengthen the region’s innovation ecosystem and support sustainable growth.
With a mission to promote applied research, technology transfer, and scientific training, PCR plays a vital role in connecting academia, industry, and society — contributing to the socio-economic development of Sardinia in line with regional and European priorities.
Scientific Excellence Supporting AquaBioNets
Within AquaBioNets, PCR provides high-level research capacity to assess the environmental and biological impact of innovative, biodegradable aquaculture nets.
Its Food Technology Division (RTA) offers facilities and know-how for the controlled growth of Mediterranean fish species under reproducible conditions, while the Applied Biotechnology Division (RBA) brings decades of expertise in metabolic and molecular analysis.
By integrating these two divisions, PCR ensures a comprehensive evaluation of how new eco-sustainable materials affect fish welfare and growth — supporting the project’s goal of developing cleaner, safer, and more efficient aquaculture systems across the Mediterranean.
🧑🤝🧑 The Team Behind the Mission
The AquaBioNets activities at PCR are coordinated by Dr. Roberto Anedda, whose research focuses on fish health, metabolism, and welfare in aquaculture environments.
He leads a multidisciplinary team that includes Dr. Roberto Cappuccinelli (fish farming expert), Dr. Salvatore Pisanu (proteomics specialist), Dr. Ilaria Vitangeli (bioanalytics expert), Dr. Riccardo Melis (bioinformatician and metabolic biochemist), and many other researchers. The research team is supported by Dr. Daniela Pagnozzi and Dr. Tonina Roggio in management and technical operations.
Together, they bring extensive scientific experience demonstrated through numerous publications in marine biology, food chemistry, and proteomics — ensuring robust, evidence-based insights into the biological performance of new aquaculture materials
Connecting Research and Innovation
Beyond AquaBioNets, PCR is deeply engaged in national and European research initiatives aimed at advancing biotechnology, food innovation, and sustainable production systems.
The organisation is involved in several cutting-edge projects, including a Horizon MSCA project NMR-IMPROV, AISAC, and SCOPERTA, which explore everything from cell proteome profiling and gene therapy to advanced digital and analytical technologies for food systems.
Through these initiatives, PCR continues to strengthen its role as a catalyst for interdisciplinary innovation — connecting laboratory excellence with real-world applications that benefit industries, communities, and the environment.
🌿 Looking Ahead with AquaBioNets
Through its participation in AquaBioNets, Porto Conte Ricerche expects to contribute to a new generation of sustainable materials that combine productivity, environmental protection, and animal welfare.
By working within a multidisciplinary partnership, PCR helps ensure that the project’s scientific outcomes are not only rigorous but also ready for practical use — from testing to industrial production.
Ultimately, PCR’s work will help raise awareness across the aquaculture value chain — from net manufacturers to farmers and consumers — about the essential role of innovation in shaping a more sustainable and competitive European aquaculture sector.
