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 | Myticin peptide and its use in cell regeneration
    Biotechnology Nutrition and Human Health

    Authors: Antonio Figueras Huerta, María Gasset Vega, Beatriz Novoa García, Magalí Rey Campos, Ricardo Mallavía Marín, Regla María Medina Gali, Alicia Martínez López

    The present invention relates to peptides derived from myticin C and to their therapeutic use, more specifically in cell and/or tissue regeneration. More detailed information can be obtained here.

     

    Related research groups

    Immunology & Genomics
  • Prototype | Morbidostat: Unraveling Antimicrobial Resistance
    Biotechnology

    Morbidostat is a computer-controlled continuous culture device that automatically adjusts drug concentration to maintain constant growth inhibition in microbial cultures. As bacteria acquire mutations that give them resistance against drugs, they are able to tolerate higher drug concentrations and grow faster, thus removing selective pressure, the driving force of evolution. To compensate for this, morbidostat increases drug concentration sufficiently to keep bacteria at their original growth rate, therefore maintaining selective pressure over time. This system allows for data acquisition to model microbial evolution under antimicrobial stress, optimize biocide dosage strategies and develop highly antimicrobial-resistant strains used to test the performance of new biocides, among other applications.

     

    Related research groups

    Biosystem & Bioprocesses Engineering Recycling and Valorization of Waste Materials
  • Patent | Andrographolide derivatives for their use in the treatment of cytokine-related inflammatory diseases
    Biotechnology Nutrition and Human Health

    Authors: Eva María Rivero Buceta; Cristian Smerdou Picazo; Pablo Botella Asunción; Antonio Pineda Lucena; Carla María Vidaurre Agut; Beatriz Novoa; Antonio Figueras Huertas;  Jose María Benlloch Baviera

    Andrographolide derivatives for their use in the treatment of cytokine-related inflammatory diseases . Patent pending publication.

     

    Related research groups

    Immunology & Genomics
  • Patent | Andrographolide derivatives for their use in the treatment of COVID-19 and associated pulmonary fibrosis
    Biotechnology Nutrition and Human Health

    Authors: Antonio Pineda Lucena; Carla María Vidaurre Agut; Eva María Rivero Buceta; Jose María Benlloch Baviera; Cristian Smerdou Picazo; Beatriz Novoa; Antonio Figueras Huertas; Pablo Botella Asunción

    Andrographolid derivatives for their use in the treatment of COVID-19 and associated pulmonary fibrosis. Patent pending publication.

    Related research groups

    Immunology & Genomics
  • 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

Services

Active projects