An overview of the First Marine Biotechnology Symposium in the Southern Hemisphere-MBSH2007: “Waking up a Sleeping Beauty”

Marine Biotechnology targets the development of novel products and processes from marine organisms, thereby seeking to contribute to human health, the food processing and animal feed industry and many other applications such as their use to generate biofuels. It also seeks better means for protecting marine habitats and restoring those that are damaged. In this sense, the First Marine Biotechnology Symposium in the Southern Hemisphere (MBSH2007; Viña del Mar, Chile, December 9 13, 2007) promoted research and development in the field of basic and applied marine biotechnology, offering a unique opportunity for the critical examination of milestones in marine biotechnology and their significant contribution to global sustainability in the 21st century. During the intense three-and-a-half days of the conference key lectures, followed by topic-oriented roundtables, facilitated the exchange of experience among participants, with poster sessions in three main areas: general marine biotechnology, aquaculture and marine biotechnology-derived products [1]. The lecture sessions covered microalgae as green cell factories, harmful algal blooms, marine biodiscovery, fish health (immunity against diseases and diagnostics), sustainable management of marine systems and taking marine biotechnology products to the market.