Making marine genomics more accessible
Through both resources and services, the marine environment provides an estimated 60 % of the economic value of the biosphere. Marine genomics is a growing contributor to that value, but the usefulness of marine genomics knowledge is not well-understood outside the academic sphere. The 'Marine genomics for users' (MG4U) project aimed to address this problem by facilitating knowledge transfer from marine genomics research projects to relevant stakeholders in industry and government. Project members started by collecting outputs from all relevant genomics research projects in Europe in the last decade. This was collated into a knowledge output table for each project, all of which were then compiled into an online database. This activity highlighted over 400 outputs with potential for commercial application, including novel findings, methodologies and processes. The information was distributed to relevant parties through training courses, workshops and the online database. Throughout the project duration, the team developed methods to improve knowledge transfer in the industry. This included a set of indicators to evaluate the efficiency and impact of knowledge-transfer activities. MG4U developed the methods and infrastructure needed to share relevant marine genomics knowledge and insights with the people who need it most. This will harmonise research as well as accelerate commercialisation of research outputs in the sector.
Keywords
Marine genomics, economic value, knowledge transfer, research, knowledge output, commercial application