One of the most exciting aspects of marine biotechnology is bioprospecting: the search for new natural compounds that can be used as novel pharmaceuticals, healthcare products, agrichemicals for crop protection, and novel bioremediation agents for environmental protection. A new marine-derived analgesic drug, ziconotide (trade name "prialt"), was recently licensed in the USA and other drugs, currently in the late stages of clinical trials, are likely to follow soon. This has fuelled enormous interest in marine biotechnology.

This book critically reviews the most innovative strategies to exploit the full potential of many novel natural compounds, to understand their complex structures and to increase their inherent low yields. The authors discuss the genetics and molecular biology of the bioactive compound biosynthesis, the identification of the organisms involved and the methodologies for sustainable product production.