Marine Biochemistry

Marine and maritime research is one of NTNU's five priority research areas, and Marine Biochemistry is very important part of our commitment to research on the cultivation of marine organisms and the harvesting of other natural biological resources from the sea.

These are areas where the Norwegian central government has committed funds for the development of knowledge-based competence and technology in order to guarantee growth and wealth in Norway in the time to come when the North Sea no longer produces oil and gas.

At the Dept. of Biotechnology we are working within several areas of the general topic Marine Biochemistry, including studies on the importance of raw materials quality for the application of marine polysaccharides, alginates (from seaweeds), chitin and chitosan from shrimp and crab shells as well as utilization of zooplankton as a raw material for fish farming.

There is also an active research effort within the area for utilization of byproducts from the traditional fishing industry for use in feeds or as raw materials for production of fish-gelatin. The Dept. of Biotechnology has also a history of research in the cultivation of and characterization of marine planktons. This activity has taken on a renewed importance with the application of these organisms as a starting feed for marine fish larvae. Our department cooperates with several other groups within NTNU and SINTEF in order to exploit its own competence within biopolymer technology to solve problems related to the new developments within the commercial cultivation and farming of marine fishes in Norway.

Project work as well as thesis topics are available within the area of research on utilization of marine biopolymers and raw materials for their production. This line of study gives a competence suitable for work within industry, regulatory agencies, or research and teaching within the field of marine resources.

• Employees at Marine Biochemistry