BIOPROSP_19 – Strengthening the position of Tromsø and northern Norway in the blue bioeconomy

BIOPROSP was first organized in 2002 by the MABIT program and is held every 2 years. The aim of the conference is to translate basic research into applied research with industrial application, and has become a flagship event for the area in terms of drawing attention to the Tromsø region and its very special resources. As an international scientific conference, BIOPROSP serves as a meeting place for disseminating research results, exchanging knowledge, expanding the knowledge-base and/or establishing new scientific collaboration. The event draws extensively on both national and international research expertise while promoting national/international network-building. BIOPROSP is anchored in the bioeconomy both locally and nationally, which has become an important focus area for growth in Tromsø, in Norway, and abroad. There is much in terms of policy, infrastructure, and educational initiatives devoted to this field. Relevant sectors include healthcare (diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccine), food, agri- and marine biotech, environment and bio processing. Target groups for the conference include research organizations, academic researchers, commercial businesses, government funding agencies, investors, politicians/policy makers, journalists, and others interested in bioprospecting and biotechnology. The conference has several goals that it wishes to achieve: (1) Help Tromsø and Norway maintain its status as an international leader in the field of blue bioeconomy, (2) Continue to be the top conference in the application of marine bioactive molecules, (3) Provide conference participants with a thought-provoking and memorable experience created with an excellent scientific program and a social program that takes advantage of the beautiful nature, unique culture, and unbeatable hospitality of northern Norway, and (4) Attract 300-400 participants with 70% participation from outside of Tromsø.