The assessment of marine microbial biodiversity is crucial for determining either the environmental status (ecological or biodiversity research) or as a first step in the biodiscovery process (biotechnological research). Regardless of the research purpose, the first step in a biodiversity assessment is sampling, which can range from ad hoc sampling expeditions to long-term monitoring campaigns. In spite of its ...
Bioassays are the main tool to decipher bioactivities from natural resources thus their selection and quality are critical for optimal bioprospecting. They are used both in the early stages of compounds isolation/purification/ identification, and in later stages to evaluate their safety and efficacy. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the most common bioassays used in the discovery and devel...
Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) have long been known for their detrimental effects on the ecosystems and living organisms; however the long-term impact on the marine environment is still insufficiently recognized. Based on PFAS persistence and bioaccumulation in the complex marine food network, adverse effects will be exacerbated by global processes such as climate change and synergies with oth...
Coastal countries have traditionally relied on the existing marine resources (e.g., fishing, food, transport, recreation, and tourism) as well as tried to support new economic endeavors (ocean energy, desalination for water supply, and seabed mining). Modern societies and lifestyle resulted in an increased demand for dietary diversity, better health and well-being, new biomedicines, natural cosmeceuticals, envi...
The International Symposium on Marine Natural Products (MaNaPro) happened for the first time in 1975 in the city of Aberdeen, Scotland, organized by Professor Ronald H. Thomson. The European Conference on Marine Natural Products (ECMNP) occurred for the first time in 1997 in Athens, Greece, organized by Professor Vassilios Roussis. The MaNaPro and ECMNP conferences have triennial and biennial frequencies, respe...
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, anticoagulant, cholesterol-lowering, nutritional, photoprotective, horticultural or other beneficial properties. These metabolites could help satisfy the increa...