About IIM

The Institute of Marine Research (IIM-CSIC) is one of the main marine research centers in the Iberian Peninsula. Looking at the Atlantic from Vigo, a city with a strong connection with the sea, the IIM-CSIC faces the challenge of increasing our knowledge about the ocean, from its physical characteristics to the food we take from it and the processes that bind the whole system together.

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Research

Research is at the core of the Institute of Marine Research's work. Working along 3 Core Research Themes, which intertwine and connect to each other, the researchers and technicians at the IIM-CSIC look for answers within 9 different research lines.

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Innovation

While our research provides us with new knowledge about our sea and shores, at the Institute of Marine Research we are committed to go a step further, creating new collaborations with the industry and other economic activities, be they already 'established' industries, such as fisheries or aquaculture, or 'emerging' ones, such as ocean observation.

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Society

Science is not complete until it is shared with society. As a public research institution, the IIM understands that its commitment is with society, fostering a two-way relationship with its surrounding community and an open perspective on science.

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Work & Study

Marine scientists, lab technicians, biologists, chemists and engineers, but also economists, lawyers or communicators (both working and in training) contribute to the interdisciplinary nature of our center. With more than 200 employees, the IIM-CSIC is a large community of people who work together for the sake of science, knowledge and sustainability.

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News & Events

Do you want to be aware of the latest at the IIM? The Institute has a whole team involved in communication & outreach, sharing all news that arise and organizing events to reach all sectors of society: from other peers working in science to children in schools or our neighbors from Vigo.

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Biological Systems and Process

Biotechnology

Biotechnology is experiencing a rapid acceleration thanks to the advances in omic techniques and computing capacities, which allow us to better understand how we can put nature’s machinery to use for the good of humanity. Biotechnology is a broad discipline in which biological processes, cells or organisms are exploited to develop new technologies, with applications in agri- and aquaculture, food production, industrial processes and medicine.

Because of this wide range of applications, biotechnology is usually color-coded to refer to its four main fields of application. Industrial biotechnology is usually referred to as white biotechnology, while red is reserved for medical applications, green for agriculture-related developments, and blue for processes that encompass the aquatic environment.

The interdisciplinary nature of the IIM-CSIC allows us to collaborate with different industries for the application of biotechnological innovations across the whole color range of biotechnology.

You can read about all our capabilities and associated services below.

 

Research groups

Capabilities

  • Patent | Compounds having anti-inflammatory activity
    Biotechnology Nutrition and Human Health

    Authors: Juan Carlos Espin de Gea; Juan Carlos Morales Sánchez; Isabel Medina

    Compounds for the treatment of inflammatory processes involved in numerous diseases such as intestinal inflammatory diseases. The invention mainly refers to compounds included within a certain general formula and to the procedure to obtain them. More detailed information can be obtained here.

     

     

    Related research groups

    Chemistry of Marine Products
  • Patent | Method for the identification of antimicrobial polypeptides in Mytilus edulis
    Biotechnology Nutrition and Human Health

    Authors: María del Mar Costa Portela, Beatriz Novoa García, Antonio Figueras Huerta, Sonia Dios Vidal, Camino Gestal Mateo

    The invention provides a method for the identification of polynucleotides, coding precursors of polypeptides, with antibacterial and antiviral activity (myticines and mytilines). More detailed information can be obtained here.

    Related research groups

    Immunology & Genomics Marine Molecular Pathobiology
  • Patent | Modified atmospheres for conservation of live bivalves in hermetic packaging
    Food industry 4.0 Nutrition and Human Health Biotechnology

    Authors: Laura Pastoriza; Gabriel Sampedro Cedeira; Marta Bernárdez Costas; Marta López Cabo; Juan José Rodríguez Herrera

    The invention relates to a method of preserving live shellfish using a modified atmosphere that is rich in oxygen and contains a second main nitrogen component, so as to preserve live bivalve shellfish and safeguard their quality for as long as possible throughout the whole marketing and sale process. The commercial shellfish packaging must be full and well compacted, for which purpose units must be perfectly inserted during the filling operation using a vibrator so that bivalve shellfish cannot open their valves, thus losing intervalvar liquid, throughout the marketing process. The invention relates to the most popular bivalve on the market in terms of sales and price and, as a result, is of particular interest to the mussel industry. More detailed information can be obtained here.

     

     

    Related research groups

    Microbiology & Technology of Marine Products
  • Patent | Procedure for the extraction of hyaluronic acid from fish vitreous humor
    Biotechnology Nutrition and Human Health

    Authors: Miguel Anxo Murado; Maria Montemayor Castroviejo; Marta López Cabo; Maria del Pilar Gonzalez Fernández; Laura Pastoriza Enriquez

    Technique for the preparation of hyaluronic acid (AH) based on fish vitreous humor for its use in cosmetics and clinical work. The process comprises protein electrodeposition and simultaneous diafiltration with total recirculation. This procedure allows for selective recovery of impure sediments, precipitation of AH and solubilization of proteins, yielding AH with purity over 99.5%. More detailed information can be found here.

     

     

    Related research groups

    Microbiology & Technology of Marine Products Recycling and Valorization of Waste Materials

Services

Active projects