Schleswig-Holstein's Minister for European Affairs Anke Spoorendonk at GEOMAR-Biotech
Visit focused on the Interreg BSR project "Baltic Blue Biotechnology ALLIANCE"
31 August 2016 / Kiel. New drugs against cancer, diabetes and other common diseases, biological plant protection products or sustainably produced cosmetics - the oceans provide a huge reservoir of unexplored substances that can be very beneficial for humans. Through GEOMAR-Biotech (GEOMAR Centre for Marine Biotechnology), the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel performs research dedicated to the search for such bioactive substances and potential applications from marine macro- and microorganisms. Yesterday Anke Spoorendonk, Minister of Justice, Culture and European Affairs of the State of Schleswig-Holstein visited the GEOMAR-Biotech. There Prof. Dr. Deniz Tasdemir, head of the GEOMAR-Biotech, explained in detail the various potentials of marine biotechnology. A special focus of the visit rested on the "Baltic Blue Biotechnology ALLIANCE" which is funded by the Interreg Baltic Sea Region (BSR Interreg) programme with a total of 3.5 million euros. The project is is coordinated by the GEOMAR-Biotech.
"The endless potential of blue biotechnology is very little exploited around the Baltic Sea region. In the ALLIANCE project we therefore bring together all relevant stakeholders for the successful development of sustainable and innovative products and processes from marine sources of the Baltic," said Professor Tasdemir. Overall 22 partner institutions from the Baltic Sea and beyond work together in the project, including research institutions, biotechnology clusters, economic development agencies and the SUBMARINER Network for the sustainable use of marine resources in the Baltic Sea.
"The blue biotechnology has a significant potential for Schleswig-Holstein as well as for the entire Baltic region. Strategic approaches which you are pursuing are enormously important for the future-oriented development of the so-called blue biotechnology ", minister Spoorendonk emphasized to the staff of GEOMAR-Biotech. The visit was part of this year's summer tour of the minister.
