Centre for Marine Bioproducts Development

The ocean contains unknown depths of new marine bioresources spawning innovations in food production, health and nutrition, and fuel and energy alternatives. We are diving deep and surfacing new marine bioproduct possibilities and the latest bioprocess technologies.

We are conducting world-leading research on Australia’s marine bioresources – up to 95% of which are not found anywhere else in the world.

And our research is as unique as the ocean life we are investigating. We are leading a new wave in marine biotechnology application, industry enhancement and environmental protection for sustainable industries of the future.

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Our research themes

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CMBD is delighted to announce:

Federal funding success to boost Marine Bio-Enterprise

Flinders University leads 10-year, $270m CRC

CMBD has led this successful MB-CRC bid to secure $59 million of CRC federal funding to kickstart a wide-ranging, decade-long research and development program to transform Australia’s emerging marine bioproducts sector into a sustainable, clean and globally competitive industry.

The Marine Bioproducts Cooperative Research Centre (MB-CRC) is an Australian national industry-driven R&D consortium of 68 partners led by Flinders University. This consortium connects a broad cross-section of industry and research, bringing together; Australian major agri-businesses, two global chemical industry giants, small and medium enterprises, with the majority of the country’s leading scientific and engineering leaders in the field. Over the next 10 years, MB-CRC project partners aim to invest more than $270 million in total project R&D value. This includes more than $70 million in matching cash from 49 industry partners, 12 research groups, two government organisations and five third-party participants.

Through the utilisation of Australia’s unique biomarine resources, CMBD and MB-CRC will work together to develop advanced manufacturing technologies and high-value marine bioproducts to expand the third-generation of Australian marine bioproducts industry, in relation to the first-generation fisheries and the second-generation of aquaculture via commercialisation, education and training. We aim to fast-track the growth of Australia’s next generation of marine bioindustries to meet the rapidly increasing global demand for certified, safe, sustainable products including; plant-based proteins, functional foods, nutraceuticals, omega-3 oils, cosmetics, biomaterials, bioplastics, and more. A major objective for CMBD and MB-CRC is for Australia to be recognized as a premier supplier and innovator of marine bioproducts globally.

Marine Biotechnology:

The next wave for Australia

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Our research themes

Health and nutrition

We are harnessing new biotechnologies to uncover functional compounds from the ocean to create preventative medicines and nutritional supplements to improve health.

Our research is making advances in areas of health and nutrition including:

bioactives
novel antimicrobials
skin health
gut health
biomaterial (3D printing)
aging nutrition
reproductive nutrition

One such discovery is calci-boom, a calcium supplement alternative. One in six children in Australia are lactose-intolerant and are not able to get enough calcium from dairy products or dairy supplements. Calci-boom is made from brown seaweed and minerals from lobster shells that can be transformed into lunchbox products like a jelly or drink that children are more likely to consume.

Food security

Food security is defined as access to sufficient, safe, nutritious and stable food required to maintain a healthy and active life.

We are researching enhanced biotechnology processes that use marine bioproducts to enhance the quality of processed foods, improve food safety through more sustainable crop production and livestock feed and to remove possible dangerous contaminants.

Our research includes discoveries in:

functional foods
protein and supplements
single cell oils
soil health
feed development for aquaculture
crop protection

Through our research, we have identified omega-3 rich microalgae as a sustainable single cell oil . Due to their abundant availability, these algae's can serve as an alternative to marine-derived omega-3 feed and food sources.

Sustainability

We are researching the untapped potential for marine bioproducts to help tackle some of the world’s biggest environmental challenges. Biodiscoveries include marine organisms for biofuel and bioenergy, waste management technologies and environmental remediation.

Some of the possible applications of our research includes:

biorefinery
green technologies
circular economy
biofuels
bioresource utilisation
bioplastics
Industry 4.0

Our research is investigating new processing methods to recover and reuse rock lobster by-products. The head, shell and viscera of a lobster contain rich proteins, lipids and chitin but are most often discarded. We are looking at functional foods, healthcare products and animal and aquafeed opportunities to divert this waste.

Australian Seaweed Industry

Seaweed is a global industry worth over US$11 billion and will double by 2025. The Australian coastline has ideal growing conditions for high value, native seaweeds and there are currently no commercial ocean-based seaweed farming operations here.

As a member of Marine Bioproducts CRC, the Centre for Marine Bioproducts and Development has Government approval for seaweed aquaculture in Australia.

Learn more about the current state of the Australian Seaweed Industry be visiting the Australian Seaweed Institute website.

Biodiscoveries for industry

Our researchers are working on integrated biotechnology processes to transform rare materials into high-yielding commercial products, while reducing production costs, waste and pollution. Microalgae, sea sponges and seaweed are just some of the marine resources we are converting into high value products for human nutrition, pharmaceuticals, bioenergy and more.

We work collaboratively with partners in industry sectors including:

biofuels
seafood processing
food processing and functional foods
health food supplements / Nutraceuticals
cosmeceuticals
waste management
environmental remediation
aquaculture.

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Courses

Learn from experts in biotechnology and marine bioproduct development when you study at Flinders University.

Bachelor of Science (Biotechnology)

Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Biotechnology)

Biotechnology - Postgraduate program

ARC Training Centre for Green Chemistry in Manufacturing - PhD opportunities

The ARC Training Centre for Green Chemistry in Manufacturing is an interdisciplinary research and training environment centred on green and sustainable chemistry. The Centre, with research nodes at Monash University, Deakin University, Flinders University and Curtin University, working with industry, government authorities and key industry bodies, will develop new green and sustainable chemical technologies for use in manufacturing.

PhD researchers joining this joint program will enjoy the benefits of training and joint supervision from experts from Monash University, Deakin University, Flinders University and Curtin University, together with mentoring from industry partners. Each project will focus on an industry identified problem.

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Research opportunities

We conduct biotechnology research in conjunction with a wide range of disciplines including medicine, health and disease treatment and prevention, food sciences, agriculture, aquaculture, environmental protection and management, renewable energy and biotechnological engineering.

Australian and international postgraduate (Honours, Masters and PhD) students have the opportunity to undertake research at this Centre under the supervision of our industry experts.

To express your interest and find out more refer to apply for a higher degree by research.

You are also welcome to contact us.

Australia New Zealand Marine Biotechnology Society

The Centre for Marine Bioproducts Development hosts the Australia New Zealand Marine Biotechnology Society (ANZMBS).

This is a network for people and businesses researching or working within the marine biotech sector and an opportunity to collaborate and learn.

We welcome new members. For more information please visit the website.

Marine Bioproducts Cooperative Research Centre (MB-CRC)

Marine Bioproducts Cooperative Research Centre (MB-CRC) is a consortium of industry and research partners led by Flinders University, aiming to transform Australia's emerging marine bioproducts sector into a globally competitive industry.

For more information please visit the website.

ARC Training Centre for Green Chemistry

The ARC Training Centre for Green Chemistry in Manufacturing is an interdisciplinary research and training environment centred on green and sustainable chemistry.

The Centre for Marine Bioproducts Development is a University partner.

For more information please visit the website.

Centre for Marine
Bioproducts Development

Federal funding success to boost Marine Bio-Enterprise

Flinders University leads 10-year, $270m CRC