BLUEGENICS

BlueGenics – From gene to bioactive product: Exploiting marine genomics for an innovative and sustainable European blue biotechnology industry

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 Obiettivo del progetto (Objective)

'Marine organisms, in particular sponges and their associated microorganisms, are an inexhaustible source of novel bioactive (lead) compounds for biomedical application. Industrial exploitation of this natural resource using traditional approaches is, however, hampered, with a few exceptions, by unsolvable supply problems - despite of numerous efforts in the past. Therefore, there is, very likely, only one way: to start from the genes encoding the bioproducts, or their biosynthetic pathways, to sustainably obtain the active molecules in sufficient amounts. The aim of the presented industry-driven integrating project is to combine the knowledge in marine genomics, chemogenetics and advanced chemistry to produce recombinantly prepared novel secondary metabolite (lead) compounds and analogous from them, as well as pharmacologically active peptides, and to bring them up to the pre-clinical, and hopefully also to the clinical studies. This ambitious approach is based on breakthrough discoveries and the results of previous successful EU projects of members of the applying consortium, including European leaders (or worldwide leaders) in marine (sponge) genomics, metagenomics (polyketide synthase clusters), combinatorial biosynthesis and marine natural product chemistry/structure elucidation. This multidisciplinary project, driven by high-tech genomics-based SMEs with dedicated interest in bringing marine-biotechnology-derived products to the market, will also involve the discovery and sustainable production of bioactive molecules from hitherto unexploited extreme environments, such as hydrothermal vents and deep-sea sources, and the expression/scale-up of unique enzymes/proteins of biomedical and biotechnological interest. The molecular-biology-based strategies developed in this project for a sustainable exploitation of aquatic molecular biodiversity will further strengthen the international position and effectiveness of European (SME-based) blue biotechnology industry.'

Introduzione (Teaser)

Marine organisms being studied by European scientists are a source of novel compounds that could revolutionise the biomedical sector. The first products have been developed for innovative applications.

Descrizione progetto (Article)

Sponges and other marine invertebrates and their associated microorganisms can provide an inexhaustible source of bioactive compounds with biomedical applications. Successful industrial exploitation of this natural resource is ensured by beginning with the genes that encode the bioproducts, or the pathways that synthesise them. This ensures that the active molecules are obtained in sufficient quantities.

The EU-funded http://www.bluegenics.eu/cms/ (BLUEGENICS) project combined knowledge of marine genomics and advanced chemistry to produce novel compounds, which include secondary metabolites and pharmaceutically active compounds. The aim is to bring these compounds to pre-clinical and clinical studies.

BLUEGENICS is driven by high-tech genomics-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are dedicated to bringing to market marine biotechnology-derived products. Considerable progress has already been made, including new extracts of marine sponges and other marine organisms. These are now being screened to identify anti-kinase activities as well as anti-Alzheimer microbial and antimicrobial activities. The first products that are close to the market are medical skin repair strips (innovative nanoparticles, encapsulating bioactive natural compounds into morphogenetically active, natural polymers).

A screening platform for anti-protozoan activity has also been established, identifying a simplified analogue of the antibiotic plakortin. The analogue shows antimicrobial properties against cloroquine-resistant compound strains of the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.

The success of the BLUEGENICS project will result in the creation of a durable, industry-driven, molecular biology-based marine drug discovery and production unit. The unit will enable sustainable exploitation of the ocean's molecular biodiversity and help ensure that European SME-based biotechnology leads the world.