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Los microorganismos del medio marino constituyen una importante fuente de compuestos cuya utilización en la prevención y/o tratamiento de enfermedades de etiología viral está siendo sugerida en los últimos años. En concreto, diversos estudios demuestran que los polisacáridos de Porphyridium cruentum presentan funciones biológicas en mamíferos, entre ellas acción antiviral, siendo un buen candidato para analizar su posible papel frente a patologías víricas de peces cultivados. En este trabajo se ha evaluado la actividad de los polisacáridos de P. cruentum frente a la infección por el virus de la septicemia hemorrágica viral (VHSV, genotipo I), y el virus de la necrosis nerviosa (VNN, genotipo RGNNV). El análisis se ha realizado in vitro mediante dos aproximaciones: (a) evaluando la capacidad de los polisacáridos de bloquear la unión virus-célula, y (b) su papel durante el proceso de replicación vírica. En cada ensayo se analizó la replicación viral mediante cuantificación de genoma vírico a diferentes tiempos post-inoculación (p.i.). Los resultados muestran actividad de los polisacáridos de P. cruentum frente a la infección por VHSV en ambas aproximaciones, observándose disminución significativa de genoma viral a las 24 y 36 h p.i. en las células tratadas con el polisacárido respecto a las no tratadas. Por el contrario, no se ha observado actividad frente a VNN, indicando que los polisacáridos de P. cruentum presentan actividad antiviral diferencial, dependiente del patógeno. Financiación: AGL2017-84644-R, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación (MINECO/AEI/FEDER, UE) y P18-RT-1067, Junta de Andalucía. G.P. beca ANID-PFCHA (2018- No. 21180059). I Plan Propio Integral de Docencia. Universidad de Málaga Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech

The use of functional food can be an interesting approach to prevent viral diseases in aquaculture facilities. An increasing number of studies have suggested that marine microorganisms can be a relevant source of substances with a putative use in preventing viral diseases. In particular, the antiviral activity of polysaccharides has been widely described against infections affecting higher vertebrates. In this study, we evaluate the antiviral activity of Porphyridium cruentum polysaccharides against two fish viruses: VHSV and NNV. Two different approaches have been used: (i) treatment of cells with polysaccharides before virus inoculation and (ii) addition of polysaccharides on cells after viral inoculation. Viral multiplication in treated and non-treated cells has been measured by viral genome quantification at different times post infection (p.i.). The anti-VHSV activity of P. cruentum polysaccharides has been demonstrated, blocking viral adsorption to cellular receptor, and preventing intracellular viral replication. On the contrary, no anti-NNV activity has been detected. Projects AGL2017-84644-R, from MINECO/AEI/FEDER, UE, and P18-RT-1067, from Junta de Andalucía (Regional Government). G.P. has been supported by ANID-PFCHA, National Doctoral Scholarship, 2018-No. 21180059. Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech.

Urban beekeeping has ourished in the last years, with many institutions interested in creating colonies on their roofs. Bees and other animal pollinators contribute to increase food production, making bees essential for agriculture and plant life, in general. And, as bee populations decline, the need for secondary sources of pollinators for agricultural production grows. The Vice-rectorate of Smart-Campus of the University of Malaga focuses on two fundamen tal aspects: understanding the UMA campus as a Smart City in itself and marking new lines of action at the academic level that will make the UMA an international benchmark in Sustainability. Framed in the program above mentioned, APICAMPUS is a pilot and interdisciplinary project that involves researchers and students belonging to 4 departments of 2 university faculties together with Bee Garden Malaga, a multi-disciplinary environmental company with thematic areas on beekeeping. The project aims to promote the development of beekeeping in urban environments, raising awareness about the importance of the bees as pollinating insects, as well as the use of the beehive products. For the above mentioned, two beehives Langstroth type, were installed at the roof of the Faculty of Science, a traditional wooden one, and another made of polystyrene. The main interest of this project lies in the monitoring of the hives by means of temperature and humidity sensors, electronic scales for weight control, video cameras located inside and outside of them, together with the use of bee-marking systems. Additionally, analysis for characterizing and study the origin and the properties of the beehive products will be carried out, as well as field monitoring to highlight the situation of pollinators at the University Campus of Teatinos. Although the samplings have barely begun, this communication intends to be the offcial presentation of the project APICAMPUS to the scientific community. Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech.

Euglena sp. is a microalga producer of important molecules for the Biotechnology industry, since it is a producer of substances such as vitamins A, C and E, essential amino acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, β-carotenes and paramilon (β-1,3-glucan). It has a modulating effect on the immune system, moderates blood glucose and the response to insulin, has anti-tumor activity and a cholesterol-lowering effect. In addition, its sulphated derivatives have anti-HIV activity. The present study was carried out with the objective of determining the immunomodulatory, antioxidant and anticancer activity of the acid polysaccharides extracted from Euglena gracilis. MTT colorimeter tests were carried out for the analysis of cytotoxicity on healthy cell lines murine macrophages (RAW 264.7) and human gingival fibroblasts (HGF-1) and for the anticancer activity cell lines were used colon cancer (HCT-116), breast cancer (MCF-7) and human leukemia (U-937) .The polysaccharide concentration at which cell survival was reduced by half (IC50) was estimated with these assays, showing that these polysaccharides have antitumor activity mainly on U-937 cells. (IC50 = 0.027 mg ml-1) against HCT-116 cells (IC50 = 0.036 mg ml-1) and MCF-7 (IC50 = 0.11 mg ml-1) An immunological test was performed to see the immunomodulatory capacity of the polysaccharides with which the production of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α was determined by macrophages RAW 264.7 It was observed that these polysaccharides have a great stimulating capacity in the synthesis of these interleukins. Antioxidant capacity was (7.19 μmol TE g-1). In agreement with these results, it is suggested that E. gracilis polysaccharides could be considered for future studies as potential nutraceuticals that require their application when the activation of macrophages is needed. Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech.

Las algas marinas del género Laminaria, Gelidium y Porphyra se han utilizado en industrias alimentarias y no alimentarias debido a sus propiedades y su actividad biológica. Los polisacáridos sulfatados de algas ofrecen diversas aplicaciones como anticoagulantes, antihiperlipidémicos, antivirales y antitumorales. Se recolectaron en 2017 en Isla Paloma (Cádiz, España) Laminaria ochroleuca, Porphyra umbilicalis y Gelidium corneum de las que se extrajeron lo polisacáridos sulfatados. La finalidad para la realización de este trabajo fue caracterizar los polisacáridos sulfatados de estas algas, evaluar la actividad antioxidante, las propiedades inmunomoduladoras de los polisacáridos sulfatados de estas algas y ver la actividad antitumoral de los polisacáridos de Laminaria ochroleuca. Para la caracterización de los polisacáridos se realizó un FT-IR de cada uno de ellos. Se cuantificó la actividad inmunomoduladora mediante las citoquinas TNF-α y IL-6, usando un ELISA TNF-α de ratón Ready-SET-Go y un ELISA IL-6 de ratón Ready-SET-Go (Affymetrix, EBioscience), siguiendo las instrucciones del proveedor usando la línea celular RAW 264.7. La actividad antioxidante fue determinada en los polisacáridos sulfatados por el método ABTS. La actividad antitumoral de los polisacáridos sulfatados de Laminaria ochroleuca fue evaluada con ensayos de MTT, en diferentes líneas celulares cancerígenas, cáncer de colon humano (HTC-116), melanoma maligno humano (G-361) y leucemia humana (U-937). La mayor actividad antioxidante (25.69 μmol TE g-1) e inmunomoduladora se observaron en los polisacáridos sulfatados de L. ochroleuca. Es por esta razón que los ensayos de actividad anticancerígena se llevaron a cabo con estos polisacáridos sulfatados en las líneas celulares HTC-116 (IC50 = 0,44 mg mL-1), G-361 (IC50 = 5,42 mg mL-1) y U-937 (IC50 = 3.72 mg mL-1). Se concluye por tanto que, L. ochroleuca ofrece ventajas significativas para la industria farmacéutica. Universidad de Málaga. Campus de Excelencia Internacional Andalucía Tech.