iBB

A new research project “SymbioReactor - Sustainable production of bioactive metabolites from microbial symbionts of marine sponges and corals” was recently awarded 178k EUR funding by the Fundo Azul programme from the Ministry of the Sea (Blue Biotechnology call 5/2017). SymbioReactor aims to uncover the antibacterial, antifungal and antitumor properties of an existing culture collection at BSRG-iBB comprising a yet uncharted panel of 1,000 bacterial symbionts from marine sponges and corals. The project’s overarching goal resides in the exploration of marine symbiotic communities to develop customized, effective tools that lead to the sustainable production of pharmacologically applicable metabolites from the seas. The project is headed by Rodrigo Costa and Tina Keller-Costa from BSRG-iBB and involves two public research institutions (University of Aveiro and Centro de Neurociências e Biologia Celular), an industrial partner (Biotrend) and an international consultant (Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology). It also counts with the support of the Centro Ciência Viva do Algarve and the Straw Patrol initiative for scientific dissemination.