This book serves as essential reading
for research scientists and
biotechnologists from both academia and
industry working in marine biotechnology
and related disciplines. The book
discusses recent advances and challenges
in terms of science, technology,
innovation, and policy for the
development of the field; and how marine
biotechnology may provide new solutions
to some of the grand challenges faced by
our society. Written in an accessible
language, the book is also recommended
as a reference text for decision-makers
in government and non-governmental
organizations in their efforts to foster
the development of a global blue
economy.
With less than 5 % of the vast and rich
marine environment explored, our seas
and oceans represent a virtually
unexplored resource for the discovery of
novel product, processes, and
development of bio-inspired synthetic
drugs with biotechnological potential.
As such, the marine environment has been
considered Earth's last frontier of
exploration. Recent advances in
molecular techniques are providing the
necessary tools to access on a larger
scale the still-untapped ocean resources
and, consequently, unveil the promise of
the blue biotechnology. Governments are
recognizing the potential of marine
biotechnology to provide solutions to
some of the Grand Challenges of the 21st
Century such as sustainable energy and
food sources, identification of novel
drugs for improved health treatments,
and providing new industrial materials
and processes. For this reason, advances
in marine biotechnology may foster the
much-needed source of innovation and
economic growth in many countries, and
pave the way towards the development of
a global blue economy, i.e. a new
economic model based on the sustainable
exploration of our ocean ecosystems.