Our work
Leveraging the success of continuous sponge cell lines
Why BLUES
The oceans, vast reservoirs of biological diversity, are home to millions of species, including marine invertebrates and algae. These organisms produce a diverse range of compounds, from pharmaceuticals to agrichemicals, shaped by the challenges of their extreme environments. Marine invertebrates, like sponges, have evolved unique chemicals with ecological roles, such as defence against predators, pathogens, and parasites.
Despite their potential, only a fraction of marine-derived compounds have been explored. BLUES addresses this gap by unlocking the untapped potential of marine invertebrates, aiming to develop sustainable bioprocessing for high-value bioactive compounds, offering alternatives to traditional wild harvesting methods.
Before BLUES, marine invertebrates, especially sponges, were recognized for their potential to produce valuable bioactive compounds. The 1950s saw the synthesis of antiviral and anticancer drugs from marine sponges, but intensive drug discovery efforts from 1990 to 2019 yielded over 15,000 new compounds, with Porifera and Cnidaria being major sources.
However, sustainable harvesting remained a bottleneck. BLUES aims to overcome this by developing novel cultivation systems for cell lines from four marine invertebrate phyla (Porifera, Cnidaria, Echinodermata, Chordata).
What is BLUES working on
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Primary Cultures and Cell Lines
Development of primary cell cultures and cell lines from four marine invertebrate phyla of marine invertebrates, with a focus on medium design and growth rate rate.
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Marine Invertebrate Chassis Cells
Development of a production chassis for target metabolites using previously developed cell lines, exploring continuous production, and optimizing culture conditions. -
Increasing Product Yield
Materials development, particularly in 3D cultures, with sustainability considerations, and testing methodologies for different phyla. -
Downstream Processing
Development of environmentally friendly downstream processing methods using tunable green solvents for the extraction and purification of metabolites. -
Industrial Bioprocessing
Bioprocess design for processes tested at TRL5 (Technology Readiness Level), including techno-economic and sustainability analyses, with recommendations for improvements.
Our innovative methodology
BLUES innovative methodologies involve leveraging the success of continuous sponge cell lines, optimizing metabolite
production, developing knowledge in molecular pathways, and applying advanced extraction technologies.
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STEP 1
Bioprocess for Cell Culture of Marine Sponges
Establishing continuous sponge cell lines with high proliferation rates. BLUES will develop a bioprocess for cell culture with high product yield. -
STEP 2
Use of Continuous Sponge Cell Lines as Chassis Cells
Continuous sponge cell lines will serve as chassis cells for metabolite production. BLUES will optimise the production of sponge metabolites in these cell lines, maximizing productivity. -
STEP 3
Improved Methodologies for In Vitro Production
Development of long-lasting cell cultures (cell lines) will be extended to species from four marine invertebrate phyla. -
STEP 4
Extraction Methods for Metabolites
Technologies using green solvents, such as deep eutectic solvents, will be employed for extracting metabolites from at least a single marine invertebrate cell line or primary cell culture.