AUTHOR=Thompson Fabiano , Krüger Ricardo , Thompson Cristiane C. , Berlinck Roberto G. S. , Coutinho Ricardo , Landell Melissa F. , Pavão Mauro , Mourão Paulo A. S. , Salles Ana , Negri Naiane , Lopes Fabyano A. C. , Freire Vitor , Macedo Alexandre J. , Maraschin Marcelo , Pérez Carlos D. , Pereira Renato C. , Radis-Baptista Gandhi , Rezende Rachel P. , Valenti Wagner C. , Abreu Paulo C. , BioTecMar Network TITLE=Marine Biotechnology in Brazil: Recent Developments and Its Potential for Innovation JOURNAL=Frontiers in Marine Science VOLUME=5 YEAR=2018 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2018.00236 DOI=10.3389/fmars.2018.00236 ISSN=2296-7745 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.