185

surfaces221. Some water-based coatings which use elements of low-toxicity and natural biocides are being developed and are a promising source of natural antifouling compounds222 While several potential sources and compounds have been identified, a cost effective solution has yet to be found. Some of the work being carried out currently is summarised below:  Investigation of methods for immobilising bacteria which have antifouling characteristics and compounds including the marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas tunicate;     The evaluation of classes of compounds extracted from marine organisms which display biofouling inhibition properties; The evaluation of antimicrobial peptides extracted from crustaceans that could prevent biofilim formulation; The discovery and evaluation of compounds which can prevent microbial biofilm formulation by impairing the communication systems between bacterial cells; The development of biomimetic analogues of mussel adhesive proteins (MAP) which could be used to develop antifouling coatings223. Underwater bio-adhesives Bioadhesives produced by marine organisms are extraordinarily effective and have the potential to be utilised in a number of industrial and biomedical applications. Marine bioadhesives are composed of proteins assembled into functional composites which allows for different structures and functions. Research and development has focused on bioadhesives of mussels and barnacles and their potential applications as biomedical and underwater industrial adhesives. Mussel adhesive proteins (MAPs) are water insoluble, biocompatible bioadhesives that are able to form permanent, strong and flexible bonds with biomolecules and a number of surfaces including glass, Teflon, metal and plastics, thereby making them highly interesting to biotechnological applications. Furthermore, their biodegradable properties make them environmentally friendly. Several mussel adhesive proteins have been identified and characterised from mussels, and extensive biochemical knowledge on mussel adhesions has been accumulated. One common feature of many MAPs studied is the high content of the amino acid 3,4-dihydroxy-L-phenylalanine (DOPA). High DOPA content, small molecular size, protein flexibility, the presence of metal ions, and a high oxidation state enable strong mussel adhesion to surfaces. However, the adhesion mechanism is not fully understood. Mussel bioadhesives have been researched extensively for their potential application as industrial underwater adhesives, biodegradable water resistant wood adhesives, surface coatings and antifouling polymers. Considerable progress has been made, but the biochemistry of mussel adhesion proteins and adhesion mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Further identification and characterization of MAPs is required to improve our understanding of their biological roles in adhesion mechanisms and advance the on-going research in novel biomimetics. Landscape of Marine Biotechnology infrastructures and technologies in other industries The application of marine biotechnology in industrial products and processes is diverse and therefore involves a wide range of infrastructures and technologies, most of which will be generic to the applications of marine biotechnology in the health, cosmetics, food, energy, and aquaculture industry sectors. 221 Hellio, Claire, 2010, The potential of marine biotechnology for the development of new antifouling solutions. Journal des Sciences Halieutique et Aquatique, 2. pp. 35-41. 222 Eguõa, E. and Trueba, A. 2007. Application of marine biotechnology in the production of natural biocides for testing on environmentally innocuous antifouling coatings. J. Coat. Technol. Res., 4(2): 191-202. Available: http://gendocs.ru/docs/13/12995/conv_8/file8.pdf 223 European Science Foundation (ESF) Marine Board, 2010, Position Paper 15 Marine Biotechnology: A new Vision and Strategy for Europe, http://www.marine.ie/NR/rdonlyres/C076682C-2B32-437C-A781B2EACBAA6B62/0/ESFMBmarine_biotechnology_paper15LR.pdf 158 Study in support of Impact Assessment work on Blue Biotechnology

186 Publizr Home