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Welcome to the
DEEP-BioBank

Using the deep sea to support biodiversity research and blue biotechnology

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about

The BioBank

The DEEP-BioBank (DEEP-BB), located at Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), Porto, Portugal, holds a vast collection  of deep-sea benthic fauna, namely sponge and coral samples (phyla Porifera and Cnidaria) obtained mostly from the Atlantic Ocean, either as fisheries bycatch or from scientific surveys.

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Meet Our Team

Joana Xavier

Assistant Researcher and leader

Inês Albuquerque

Technician Researcher

Ana Soares

Developing a baseline of fishers

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News & Highlights

Discover our latest news and featured publications

Deep-sea glass sponge fauna (Porifera, Hexactinellida) of the tropical central Atlantic seamounts: new species and diversity patterns. Zootaxa, 5795(1), 1–94
01Jul

Deep-sea glass sponge fauna (Porifera, Hexactinellida) of the tropical central Atlantic seamounts: new species and diversity patterns. Zootaxa, 5795(1), 1–94

Autores:Domingos C, Kersken D, Hendry K, Schuster A, Taylor ML & Xavier JR (2026) DOI:https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5795.1.1

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New Culture Collection – DEEP-BioBank
03Dez

New Culture Collection – DEEP-BioBank

The DEEP-BioBank provides a wide range of services developed to respond adequately to the needs of the scientific and business communities.

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Joana Xavier

Joana Xavier holds a degree in Marine Biology (2003) University of the Azores (Portugal) and a PhD in Biology (2009) University of Amsterdam (Netherlands). She is currently an Assistant Researcher and leader of the Deep-Sea Biodiversity and Conservation Research Team (DEEP) at CIIMAR – University of Porto (Portugal), and an invited Associate Professor in Deep-Sea Biology at the Department of Biological Sciences of the University of Bergen (Norway).

Her research focuses on the understanding of basin-scale diversity, biogeographic, and connectivity patterns of deep-sea vulnerable marine species and habitats (e.g. sponge grounds, cold-water coral gardens), using a combination of disciplines (taxonomy, systematics, ecology and genetics), and exploration and sampling tools (remotely operated vehicles, towed cameras). She also strives to advance the science-policy-society interface, working with local communities to integrate their knowledge and perceptions on marine biodiversity into decision-making; as well as developing tools and transferring knowledge to support the implementation of agreements and instruments for sustainable management, conservation, and restoration of deep-sea habitats.

Inês Albuquerque

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Ana Soares

Ana Soares holds a BSc in Aquatic Sciences (2019) at the University of Porto (Portugal) and a master’s degree in Applied Marine Biology (2021) from University of Aveiro (Portugal).

Her research is focused on developing a baseline of fishers’ local ecological knowledge and scientific knowledge to support mapping and conservation of deep-sea vulnerable marine ecosystems in Portugal mainland.