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Blue Biotechnology: Sea Solutions

April 9th (Sunday): 13:45 - 14:45

For over 25 years, we have been familiar with white, green and red biotechnologies to explore biotech approaches for industrial, agricultural and health products and solutions. We know life has originated on the sea, but 95% of the ocean is still unexplored! It comprises more than 70% of the earth’s surface and contains the most ancient and diverse forms of life - no ecosystem provides a larger genetic pool or possibilities for new products and new ways to explore known products than marine environments.
Bearing that in mind, the EU has defined marine biotechnology as a fundamental area for the development of European “Bioeconomy”, acknowledging its innovative potential to face and contribute to the needs of a constantly evolving society. And few countries have the opportunities that Portugal has, with the third largest Exclusive Economic Zone of the European Union countries. Thus, in keeping with what we have done in the past, we should start looking for solutions in the sea!
Current approaches such as the production of bioactive compounds from marine organisms, as well as the harnessing of microalgae to obtain fuels or other compounds will be on the spotlight on “Blue Biotechnology: Sea Solutions”.


Speakers

Luísa Gouveia

National Laboratory of Energy and Geology (LNEG), Portugal
Microalgal cultivation brings several environmental advantages, highlighting the capability of nutrient recycling from wastewater combined with CO2 fixation from flue gases towards a wide range of 3G biofuels and bioproducts.
Being the head of the Autotrophic Microalgae Unit at the National Laboratory of Energy and Geology (LNEG), Dr. Luísa Gouveia has devoted part of her career to studying potential applications of microalgae, namely for the production of biofuels and bioproducts.

Vitor Vasconcelos

Interdisciplinary Center of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR), Portugal
Vítor Vasconcelos is a Full Professor at Faculty of Sciences of Porto University and researcher at the Interdisciplinary Center of Marine and Environmental Research – CIIMAR / CIMAR Associate Laboratory, and the director of the Group of Blue Biotechnology and Ecotoxicology (LEGE lab). Prof. Vitor's main research focuses on cyanobacteria toxins: diversity, dynamics of intoxication and environmental and human health risks assessment, and he has published 270 papers in Toxicology and Biotechnology.
Cyanobacteria are very diverse organisms in terms of morphology, habitat and ecology and are well known for the diversity of secondary metabolites. They are also a prolific source of compounds with potential biotechnological applications, namely in the pharmacological field.

Jorge Temido

Buggypower, Portugal
Temido is currently Buggypower's Chief Process and Innovation Officer (CPIO). With a PhD in Civil Engineering - Hydraulics, Water Resources and Environment and a degree of Graduate Civil Engineer, both from University of Coimbra, Jorge Temido main expertise is in design engineering (PE) of water and wastewater systems. His interest in innovation and business strategy led him to hold positions as Entrepreneur, R&D manager, Board Adviser, and Consultant at companies in Water, Food, and IT sectors. Through all his professional career, Jorge Temido kept his activity as University Professor of Water and Wastewater Engineering (more than 25 years) and as Professor of Management and Entrepreneurship.