A new article supported by BlueRemediomics and co-authored by our partner Marcel Jaspars from the University of Aberdeen highlights how Marine Genetic Resources (MGRs) are being translated into real-world innovation, offering important insights for policy, sustainability, and the future of ocean-based biotechnology.
Published in Frontiers in Marine Science, the research analyses 1,676 patent texts linked to marine-derived genes using structural topic modelling and AI-assisted (large language model) classification. This provides a detailed picture of how “blue genes” are finding their way into commercial applications across sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, and industry.
The article states the following key findings:
- There are different actors with different roles: private companies tend to focus on applied uses (particularly in industrial processes and agriculture), while universities and public research organisations play a crucial role in developing foundational technologies that enable further innovation.
- A wide range of applications: MGRs are being used in diverse ways, from bioenergy production and green chemistry to diagnostics and therapeutics.
- Mixed sustainability outcomes: while many patented innovations align with sustainability goals, others offer only incremental improvements or have uncertain environmental benefits, highlighting the need for careful evaluation.