The Essentials of Marine Biotechnology
Authors: Rotter Ana , Barbier Michéle , Bertoni Francesco , Bones Atle M. , Cancela M. Leonor , Carlsson Jens , Carvalho Maria F. , Cegłowska Marta , Chirivella-Martorell Jerónimo , Conk Dalay Meltem , Cueto Mercedes , Dailianis Thanos , Deniz Irem , Díaz-Marrero Ana R. , Drakulovic Dragana , Dubnika Arita , Edwards Christine , Einarsson Hjörleifur , Erdoǧan Ayşegül , Eroldoǧan Orhan Tufan , Ezra David , Fazi Stefano , FitzGerald Richard J. , Gargan Laura M. , Gaudêncio Susana P. , Gligora Udovič Marija , Ivošević DeNardis Nadica , Jónsdóttir Rósa , Kataržytė Marija , Klun Katja , Kotta Jonne , Ktari Leila , Ljubešić Zrinka , Lukić Bilela Lada , Mandalakis Manolis , Massa-Gallucci Alexia , Matijošytė Inga , Mazur-Marzec Hanna , Mehiri Mohamed , Nielsen Søren Laurentius , Novoveská Lucie , Overlingė Donata , Perale Giuseppe , Ramasamy Praveen , Rebours Céline , Reinsch Thorsten , Reyes Fernando , Rinkevich Baruch , Robbens Johan , Röttinger Eric , Rudovica Vita , Sabotič Jerica , Safarik Ivo , Talve Siret , Tasdemir Deniz , Theodotou Schneider Xenia , Thomas Olivier P. , Toruńska-Sitarz Anna , Varese Giovanna Cristina , Vasquez Marlen I. 
Published: March 2021

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, environmental conservation, and sustainable energy sources. These societal needs stimulated the interest of researchers on the diverse and underexplored marine environments as promising and sustainable sources of biomolecules and biomass, and they are addressed by the emerging field of marine (blue) biotechnology. Blue biotechnology provides opportunities for a wide range of initiatives of commercial interest for the pharmaceutical, biomedical, cosmetic, nutraceutical, food, feed, agricultural, and related industries. This article synthesizes the essence, opportunities, responsibilities, and challenges encountered in marine biotechnology and outlines the attainment and valorization of directly derived or bio-inspired products from marine organisms. First, the concept of bioeconomy is introduced. Then, the diversity of marine bioresources including an overview of the most prominent marine organisms and their potential for biotechnological uses are described. This is followed by introducing methodologies for exploration of these resources and the main use case scenarios in energy, food and feed, agronomy, bioremediation and climate change, cosmeceuticals, bio-inspired materials, healthcare, and well-being sectors. The key aspects in the fields of legislation and funding are provided, with the emphasis on the importance of communication and stakeholder engagement at all levels of biotechnology development. Finally, vital overarching concepts, such as the quadruple helix and Responsible Research and Innovation principle are highlighted as important to follow within the marine biotechnology field. The authors of this review are collaborating under the European Commission-funded Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action Ocean4Biotech – European transdisciplinary networking platform for marine biotechnology and focus the study on the European state of affairs.