Title

Identification of marine antimicrobials as effective solutions to biofouling.

Objectives

Biofouling, the accumulation of plant and animal life on submerged, man-made structures, is an extremely widespread phenomenon and commonly leads to serious economic losses or operational failures in the maritime industry. The most successful marine antifouling systems involve the use of protective coatings which release biocides into the underwater environment at a controlled rate. Natural products from many sessile marine organisms, particularly those free from biofouling, have been investigated over the past decade in the search for possible alternatives to the chemicals used in commercial antifouling paints.

This project focuses on the identification of natural antimicrobials antagonistic towards microfouling organisms. It addresses needs from within the aquaculture, fisheries and marine shipping industries for an effective solution to marine biofouling.

Duration

2008-2011

Partners/Collaborators

Dr. P. Hess, Marine Institute
Professor Russell Kerr, Canadian Chair of Marine Natural Products, P.E.I. University, Canada.

Funding Agency

Higher Education Authority Technological Sector Research Programme - Strand III

Contact for Further Details

John Slater – Principal Investigator
Email: john.slater@lyit.ie

Brian Carney – Principal Investigator
Email: brian.carney@lyit.ie

Wolfram Bruck – CAMBio Project Manager
Email: wolfram.brück@lyit.ie

+ Publications/Presentations