The Nemo-Tools project made a significant contribution to HELECOS, the 12th Conference of the Hellenic Ecological Society, held on October 01-04 2025, at Athens. Team member and researcher Alexandra Zachariadou represented the project with an oral presentation.

The presentation discussed how three sampling approaches -active filtering with a vacuum pump, syringe Sterivex filtering, and gauze passive sampling- affect eDNA-based microbial diversity outputs of three eutrophic Gulfs of Greece, Saronikos, Thermaikos, and Kavala Gulfs.

HELECOS aimed to explore how ecological systems respond to environmental pressures, influence them, and are influenced by them. Particular emphasis is placed on anthropogenically induced challenges, such as habitat loss and fragmentation, biological invasions, forest fires, climate change, and pollution — changes that lead to biodiversity loss and cause adverse effects across all levels of ecological organization.

The conference gathered scientists and researchers from diverse fields, creating an excellent opportunity to promote collaboration and exchange ideas. It also encouraged students and early-career professionals in microbiology to showcase their research.

The event served as a valuable platform to share our work with the broader environmental microbiology community and to explore opportunities for future collaboration.