A New Network for the Advancement of Marine Biotechnology in Europe and Beyond
Frontiers in Marine Science 2020
A. Rotter, A. Bacu, M. Barbier, F. Bertoni, A.M. Bones, M.L. Cancela, J. Carlsson, M.F. Carvalho, M. Ceglowska, M.C. Dalay, T. Dailianis, I Deniz, D. Drakulovic, Arita Dubņika, H. Einarsson, A. Erdogan, O.T. Eroldogan, .. .., M.I. Vasquez

Marine organisms produce a vast diversity of metabolites with biological activities useful for humans, e.g., cytotoxic, antioxidant, anti-microbial, insecticidal, herbicidal, anticancer, pro-osteogenic and pro-regenerative, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-coagulant, cholesterol-lowering, nutritional, photoprotective, horticultural or other beneficial properties. These metabolites could help satisfy the increasing demand for alternative sources of nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, cosmeceuticals, food, feed, and novel bio-based products. In addition, marine biomass itself can serve as the source material for the production of various bulk commodities (e.g., biofuels, bioplastics, biomaterials). The sustainable exploitation of marine bio-resources and the development of biomolecules and polymers are also known as the growing field of marine biotechnology. Up to now, over 35,000 natural products have been characterized from marine organisms, but many more are yet to be uncovered, as the vast diversity of biota in the marine systems remains largely unexplored. Since marine biotechnology is still in its infancy, there is a need to create effective, operational, inclusive, sustainable, transnational and transdisciplinary networks with a serious and ambitious commitment for knowledge transfer, training provision, dissemination of best practices and identification of the emerging technological trends through science communication activities. A collaborative (net)work is today compelling to provide innovative solutions and products that can be commercialized to contribute to the circular bioeconomy. This perspective article highlights the importance of establishing such collaborative frameworks using the example of Ocean4Biotech, an Action within the European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) that connects all and any stakeholders with an interest in marine biotechnology in Europe and beyond.


Keywords
blue growth, marine biodiversity and chemodiversity, marine biotechnology, marine natural products, responsible research and innovation, science communication, stakeholder engagement, sustainability
DOI
10.3389/fmars.2020.00278
Hyperlink
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2020.00278/full

Rotter, A., Bacu, A., Barbier, M., Bertoni, F., Bones, A., Cancela, M., Carlsson, J., Carvalho, M., Ceglowska, M., Dalay, M., Dailianis, T., Deniz, I., Drakulovic, D., Dubņika, A., Einarsson, H., Erdogan, A., Eroldogan, O., .., .., Vasquez, M. A New Network for the Advancement of Marine Biotechnology in Europe and Beyond. Frontiers in Marine Science, 2020, Vol. 7, Article number 278. ISSN 2296-7745. Available from: doi:10.3389/fmars.2020.00278

Publication language
English (en)
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