AUTHOR=Rotter Ana , Bacu Ariola , Barbier Michèle , Bertoni Francesco , Bones Atle M. , Cancela M. Leonor , Carlsson Jens , Carvalho Maria F. , Cegłowska Marta , Dalay Meltem Conk , Dailianis Thanos , Deniz Irem , Drakulovic Dragana , Dubnika Arita , Einarsson Hjörleifur , Erdoğan Ayşegül , Eroldoğan Orhan Tufan , Ezra David , Fazi Stefano , FitzGerald Richard J. , Gargan Laura M. , Gaudêncio Susana P. , Ivošević DeNardis Nadica , Joksimovic Danijela , Kataržytė Marija , Kotta Jonne , Mandalakis Manolis , Matijošytė Inga , Mazur-Marzec Hanna , Massa-Gallucci Alexia , Mehiri Mohamed , Nielsen Søren Laurentius , Novoveská Lucie , Overlingė Donata , Portman Michelle E. , Pyrc Krzysztof , Rebours Céline , Reinsch Thorsten , Reyes Fernando , Rinkevich Baruch , Robbens Johan , Rudovica Vita , Sabotič Jerica , Safarik Ivo , Talve Siret , Tasdemir Deniz , Schneider Xenia Theodotou , Thomas Olivier P. , Toruńska-Sitarz Anna , Varese Giovanna Cristina , Vasquez Marlen I. TITLE=A New Network for the Advancement of Marine Biotechnology in Europe and Beyond JOURNAL=Frontiers in Marine Science VOLUME=7 YEAR=2020 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2020.00278 DOI=10.3389/fmars.2020.00278 ISSN=2296-7745 ABSTRACT=

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.