ESF report: Europe can be marine biotech leader
The Marine Board of the European Science Foundation (ESF) says in its latest report that Europe can take the leading role in marine biotechnology by 2020. Latest data show that the marine biotechnology market is valued at EUR 2.8 billion, and has the potential to grow up to 12% each year if industry and academia cooperate. The ESF experts say Europe's four seas and two oceans offer diverse conditions of temperature, pressure, light and chemistry, from shallow coastal waters to the deep ocean. The changes that allowed myriad marine organisms to thrive in these conditions led to a living library of diversity that is both unexplored and underexploited, the ESF's Marine Board says. Marine biotechnologists can use these resources to develop new products and services, and in turn help bring solutions to the table as regards challenges that affect our planet, including offering a sustainable supply of food and energy and new industrial materials and processes, and developing new drugs and health treatments. 'Marine biotechnology not only creates jobs and wealth, it can also contribute to the development of greener, smarter economies,' explains Lars Horn of the Research Council of Norway and Chair of the Marine Board. 'Japan, China and the US are already investing heavily in marine biotechnology. If we fail to act, Europe will lose out.' One of the ways that Europeans can help meet the Europe 2020 strategy is to bring biofuels to the forefront. For example, cultivation of microalgae for fuel could result in a 20% cut in greenhouse gas emissions. The ESF's Marine Board believes this technology is probably the best way to harness the ocean's bioenergy, but more in-depth research is needed to boost output and cut costs. The experts also point out that Europe's waters offer a potential source of drugs, biomaterials and industry products including biopolymers (biodegradable polymers). European researchers have already started developing over 13 marine-derived treatments, some of which are to fight cancer. Marine biotechnology can also give a big boost to aquaculture capacity, thus helping Europe meet its growing demand for sustainable, healthy seafood. The 'Marine Biotechnology: a new vision and strategy for Europe' report offers a roadmap for European research in this area and targets challenging, yet achievable, science and policy agenda for the next 10 years. If the right actions are taken now, Europe could take the helm of marine biotechnology, the Marine Board underlines. Some actions the board refers to include: creating a stronger identity and communicating to raise awareness of European marine biotechnology research; improving the technology transfer pathways to stimulate cooperation between industry and research; and developing new research strategies and programmes for marine biotechnology. Founded in 1995, the Marine Board helps foster cooperation between European marine science organisations towards the development of a common vision on the research priorities and strategies for marine science in Europe. A total of 31 organisations from 19 countries are represented by the board. By adopting a strategic role, the Marine Board offers its members a forum within which marine research policy advice to national agencies and to Europe's policymakers is developed. The main objective is to promote the creation of the European Marine Research Area. Commenting on the board's 2020 vision for Europe, Maive Rute, European Commission Directorate General Research Director of Biotechnologies, Agriculture and Food said: 'The recent developments in the area of marine biotechnology promise to be very important for example for applications in the medical sector, by developing new drugs and diagnostic devices.'For more information, please visit: European Science Foundation (ESF):http://www.esf.org/home.htmlTo review the 'Marine Biotechnology: a new vision and strategy for Europe' report, click:http://www.esf.org/index.php?eID=tx_nawsecuredl&u=0&file=fileadmin/be_user/research_areas/marine/pdf/Publications/MBPP15_MarineBiotechnology.pdf&t=1292863433&hash=9b233fa88363dad2f3a2fb65b2fe52b1 (here)EU Research:http://ec.europa.eu/research/index.cfm