Name:
Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture
Address:
Gournes Pediados, Heraklion-Crete 71500, Greece
Phone number:
+302810337801
e-Mail address:
e.mironaki@hcmr.gr
Website:
https://imbbc.hcmr.gr/
Brief description of the organization’s activities:
The Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture (IMBBC) is one of the three institutes of the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR). It is focused on marine biodiversity and ecosystem management, genetics, genomics, molecular biotechnology and aquaculture. IMBBC offers various services and products to the industry, academia and the public sector, ranging from aquaculture and genetic services to ecosystem managment, based on its scientific expertise and state-of-the-art facilities.
Sector(s) of involvement:
Aquaculture and fisheries technologies; Waste valorization; Food and feed; Cosmetics and wellbeing; Bioremediation, ecosystem restoration, climate change mitigation and other environmental biotechnology; Circular economyYes
Role of the organization in the development and/or application of Blue Biotechnologies:
The Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture (IMBBC) of the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR) plays a significant role in the development and application of Blue Biotechnologies in the aquaculture sector. Some of its key contributions and roles are:
– IMBBC conducts cutting-edge research on innovative biotechnologies aimed at enhancing aquaculture productivity and sustainability. This includes genetic improvements, disease resistance, and optimized breeding programs.
– IMBBC utilizes marine genomics to understand the genetic makeup of aquaculture species, leading to the development of superior strains with desirable traits such as fast growth, disease resistance, and high nutritional value
– IMBBC studies the environmental impacts of aquaculture practices to develop more sustainable methods. This includes reducing waste, improving water quality, and enhancing the overall environmental footprint of aquaculture operations.
– IMBBC works on the development of sustainable and nutritious feeds using biotechnological methods, which can improve the growth and health of farmed species while reducing reliance on traditional fishmeal and fish oil.
The Institute plays also a pivotal role in the development and application of Blue Biotechnologies within the broader marine biotechnology sector. This includes:
– IMBBC is actively involved in the exploration of marine biodiversity to discover novel bioactive compounds.
– IMBBC focuses on sustainable methods to exploit marine resources, ensuring that marine products are harvested in a way that does not harm ecosystems. This includes developing cultivation techniques for marine organisms that can be sources of valuable compounds.
– IMBBC isolates extremophilic microorganisms from unique marine environments, such as deep-sea vents, hypersaline waters, and cold regions. These microorganisms are characterized for their unique metabolic and biochemical properties.
– IMBBC develops and evaluates marine-derived ingredients for use in cosmetics. These include bioactive compounds such as antioxidants, anticancer and antimicrobial substances sourced from marine algae, invertebrates, and microorganisms.
Skills and services provided:
IMBBC offers a comprehensive suite of skills and services that support research, innovation, development, and application of blue biotechnologies. These include:
Marine Genomics and Bioinformatics:
Expertise in sequencing and analyzing genetic material from marine organisms.
Advanced bioinformatics capabilities for data analysis and interpretation.
Development of genetic markers for species identification and breeding programs.
Microbial Biotechnology:
Isolation and characterization of marine microorganisms, including extremophiles.
Metagenomic analysis of microbial communities in diverse marine environments.
Marine Natural Products Chemistry:
Extraction and purification of bioactive compounds from marine organisms.
Bioassay-guided fractionation to identify compounds with specific biological activities.
Aquaculture Technology and Biotechnology:
Development of sustainable aquaculture practices and systems.
Breeding and hatchery technologies for various marine species.
Health management through vaccines, probiotics, and other biotechnological solutions.
Regarding services, the Institute:
Offers state-of-the-art laboratory facilities for molecular biology, microbiology, and chemistry.
Provides access to high-throughput sequencing, mass spectrometry, and other advanced instrumentation.
Performs specialized analyses such as genetic screening, metabolite profiling, and bioassays.
Needs in terms of research, innovation, development, and/or application of blue biotechnologies:
To advance its goals in research, innovation, development, and application of blue biotechnologies, IMBBC requires several key resources and collaborations:
– Access to sophisticated analytical techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) to elucidate the structures of novel compounds.
– Collaboration with chemists who specialize in the structural analysis of complex natural products is crucial.
– Collaboration with other laboratories to develop and refine bioassays that can screen for a wide range of bioactivities, including antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and cosmetic properties.
