Marine Biotechnology in Brazil: Recent Developments and Its Potential for Innovation

Marcelo Maraschin,Alexandre José Macêdo ,Fabyano Álvares Cardoso Lopes ,Vítor F. Freire ,Mauro S. G. Pavão ,Fabiano L. Thompson ,Renato Crespo Pereira ,Naiane Negri,Gandhi Rádis‐Baptista ,Ana Carolina Salles ,Ricardo Henrique Krüger ,Carlos Daniel Pérez ,Paulo César Abreu ,Rachel Passos Rezende ,Ricardo Coutinho,Paulo A.s. Mourão ,Melissa Fontes Landell ,Roberto G. S. Berlinck,Wagner C. Valenti,Cristiane C. Thompson

doi:10.3389/fmars.2018.00236

Abstract

Marine biotechnology is an emerging field in Brazil and includes the exploration of marine microbial products, aquaculture, omics, isolation of biologically active compounds, identification of biosynthetic gene clusters from symbiotic microorganisms, investigation of invertebrate diseases caused by potentially pathogenic marine microbes, and development of antifouling compounds. Furthermore, the field also encompasses description of new biological niches, current threats, preservation strategies as well as its biotechnological potential. Finally, it is important to depict some of the major approaches and tools being employed to such end. To address the challenges of marine biotechnology, the Brazilian government, through the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovation, and Communication, has established the National Research Network in Marine Biotechnology (BiotecMar) (www.biotecmar.sage.coppe.ufrj.br). Its main objective is to harness marine biodiversity and develop the marine bioeconomy through innovative research.

Highlights

Throughout history, biotechnology has had an undeniable impact on all aspects of human life, from food and energy production, healing organisms, and ecosystems
Marine biotechnology in Brazil began in the early 1970s with studies of shrimp farming in the State of Rio Grande do Norte
The Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovation and Communication (MCTIC), Ministry of Health (MS), and the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) have supported marine biotechnology by means of public research calls in the last decade

Summary

Introduction

Throughout history, biotechnology has had an undeniable impact on all aspects of human life, from food and energy production, healing organisms, and ecosystems. A recent study demonstrated the presence of a new clade of Brazilian Arenosclera-like Haplosclerida sponges with high biotechnological potential and proposed the new genus Arenospicula (Niphatidae) in the new Amazon reef biome (Leal et al, 2017).

Results

Conclusion