Milan, May 27, 2026 – The University of Milano-Bicocca has initiated a crowdfunding project, dubbed “FOCA NON FOCA” (SEAL NOT SEAL), aimed at tracking the elusive Mediterranean monk seal, a highly vulnerable species, through the analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA) collected from seawater samples. This innovative scientific endeavor seeks to reconstruct the movements of this rare marine mammal across the central-western Mediterranean.
Milano-Bicocca on the Trail of the Monk Seal: The FOCA NON FOCA Project
The project, born within the BiUniCrowd crowdfunding program, represents a significant scientific journey combining open-sea research, genetics, and environmental conservation. A dedicated all-female team of researchers is at the forefront of this initiative, employing a highly advanced methodology based on the analysis of marine eDNA.
The core of the project involves searching for genetic traces left by monk seals along the daily routes of commercial ferries. The ambitious goal is to analyze nearly 400 water samples, which were initially collected during the European LIFE-CONCEPTU MARIS project. These analyses aim to map the possible presence and movements of the monk seal, the only pinniped in the Mediterranean Sea.
The Mediterranean Monk Seal: A Vulnerable Species
The history of the Mediterranean monk seal is one of drastic population decline over recent decades. Historically, these animals inhabited beaches, coastlines, and sea caves. However, habitat degradation, coastal urbanization, and particularly bycatch (accidental capture in fishing gear) have led to a significant reduction in their numbers.
Despite these challenges, international protection and conservation programs over the last thirty years have shown promising results, especially in the Aegean Sea, where a slow but steady increase in specimens has been observed. Nevertheless, the species remains highly vulnerable.
As Elena Valsecchi, researcher at the Department of Environmental and Earth Sciences at the University of Milano-Bicocca and project coordinator, explains, “The Mediterranean monk seal remains a vulnerable species, worthy of protection and continued understanding; in this context, it is important to expand the geographic screening area.”
A Giant Marine DNA Bank in Milano-Bicocca
The “FOCA NON FOCA” project benefits from a substantial scientific foundation. Over the past four years, the research group, as part of the European LIFE-CONCEPTU MARIS program, has amassed over 600 samples. An additional 400 samples, collected from ferries traversing routes between the Adriatic and Gibraltar, are yet to be analyzed. These samples are stored in the first and largest marine environmental DNA bank in the Mediterranean, developed by the University of Milan.
Valsecchi confirms, “We’ve already analyzed over 600 samples, but there are nearly 400 left to process. FOCA NON FOCA wants to analyze them all.”
How to Search for a Seal from DNA Left in the Water
The methodology employed by the researchers represents one of the most advanced applications in environmental genetics. Sampling is conducted directly aboard commercial ferries, where seawater is collected from the ships’ engine rooms at predetermined geographic coordinates. This water is then filtered through a specialized system designed to retain minute biological traces.
Once collected, the samples are transported to the laboratories of the MaRHE Center at the University of Milano-Bicocca for genetic extraction. The underlying principle is both simple and revolutionary: all organisms continuously release biological material into their environment, including skin cells, hairs, secretions, feces, and through breathing. These tiny traces act as an invisible genetic signature.
The researcher further elaborates, “We have developed a specific set of primers that works like a beacon: it recognizes a precise point in the DNA and lights up only if it finds the sequence of the target species.” This technology is likened by the team to a group of “molecular bloodhounds,” capable of detecting the passage of a monk seal even after a considerable time.
Crowdfunding: Every Donation Counts Double
To finalize the work and process all remaining samples, the project has launched a funding campaign on the Ideaginger platform. The initial target is €7,900, which will cover the costs of the analyses. A unique aspect of this initiative is that each contribution can double in value: once 50% of the fundraising goal is reached, the University of Milano-Bicocca will directly finance the remaining 50%, underscoring its commitment to the scientific project.
The “Aperifoca”: Science and Supporters Together
Upon the completion of the genetic analyses, project backers will be invited to a special event named “Aperifoca.” This event, scheduled to take place in the Bicocca area, will serve to present the research findings, express gratitude to supporters, and distribute special giveaways and prizes. Attendees will also have the opportunity to visit the laboratories and gain firsthand insight into the team’s work.
An All-Female Scientific Project
A distinctive feature of FOCA NON FOCA is its all-female working group, comprising women involved in various fields of research and scientific communication. The project is led by Elena Valsecchi, a molecular ecologist, professor, and researcher at the University of Milano-Bicocca. Her team includes:
- Graziella Pupillo, PhD student in Marine Sciences, Technologies and Management, serving as operations manager.
- Silvia Raimondo, Alice Massi, and Gaia Cavallaro, graduates in Marine Sciences, contributing to content design and dissemination.
- Celeste Scalera, the group’s graphic designer and a Communication Design student at IED Milano.
This multidisciplinary team integrates scientific research, innovation, and communication to provide new perspectives on one of the Mediterranean’s most enigmatic and captivating animals.
Source: https://lamilano.it/en/Milan/Milan-Bicocca-launches-a-crowdfunding-effort-to-find-monk-seal-DNA-in-the-Mediterranean./
