Marine Biotechnology

In the field of marine biotechnology, we work along the entire value chain from the cultivation and production of aquatic organisms to their utilization as food or feed, as food supplements or for medical applications.

Among other things, the department develops cell technological and molecular biological methods for sustainable and animal-friendly aquaculture. Many years of experience in the establishment and characterization of cell cultures from different fish species allow a broad application of these cells e.g. as model and test systems, as a basis for the development of diagnostic tools or as vaccines for fish diseases. A special expertise of the department is the excellent know-how on in-vitro-cultivation of cells of marine organisms as well as unique knowledge on cryopreservation of fish gametes.

The large-scale aquaculture facilities at the Fraunhofer EMB enable diverse scientific investigations as well as the cultivation of marine and limnic organisms, partly on a semi-industrial scale. Here, we pursue sustainable approaches such as integrated multitrophic aquaculture (IMTA, cultivation of marine fish, mussels and algae) or aquaponics (cultivation of fish and vegetables in fresh or brackish water). In our large-scale, land-based IMTA, for example, diverse marine organisms can be cultivated together and all processes and material flows can be optimally monitored. In the food technology group, we also develop nutritionally relevant utilization options for these organisms.

For example, we research the use of macroalgae for the development of various beverage bases as well as their potential use as nutraceuticals. We are developing innovative food prototypes from marine resources. In the Technical Center for Applied Food Research - TFAL - we additionally support the food industry in innovations and optimizations of products.