Marine Biotechnology

Our dedicated experts are passionate about developing the marine biotechnology sector and its many applications and strive to create opportunities that leverage marine resources.

Biotechnology is defined as the application of science and technology to living organisms … to alter living or non-living materials for the production of knowledge, goods and services [1]. Marine biotechnology encompasses the means that involve living marine resources, either as the source or the target of biotechnology applications[2].

Marine biotechnology applications focus on each of the other biotechnology branches (industrial, agricultural, environmental, health and biomedical)[3]. Current developments involve various applications, including antioxidants and anti-inflammatories; omega-3, collagen, specialty proteins, anti-fouling molecules, plastics and polymers, as well as biofuels. Marine biotechnology is not an industry sector, but rather a group of technologies and products with applications in a very broad range of industrial sectors[4].

Specific key market sectors involve bioproducts, including biofuels, biomedical and pharmaceutical applications, natural health products, functional foods, cosmetics, agricultural biotechnology, animal health and aquaculture, which are all active industrial sectors in Quebec.

In Quebec, the CRBM is a major player in the development of marine biotechnology. Through our biotechnology expertise, the CRBM promotes the growth and development of the marine sector provincially, nationally and internationally.