The AIMS Marine Bioproducts group, which is developing an international reputation in the burgeoning field of biodiscovery, seeks sea creatures that may help humans.
Marine organisms produce chemicals for functions such as defence, offence and signalling.
The huge chemical arsenal evolved for these purposes is the raw material for many potential pharmaceutical and biotechnology products. Australia is responsible for a vast and biodiverse ocean territory covering nine million square kilometres, which straddles the Indo-Pacific and extends from the tropics to Antarctica. Unlike most other OECD nations at the forefront of biotechnology development, Australia is one of the Earth's 12 mega-biodiverse nations. Most mega-biodiverse countries are in the developing world and do not have the infrastructure available to Australia. This 'best of both worlds' position qualifies Australia for a niche role in the development of access and benefit sharing issues in the international context.