IMBC 2025
Deadlines & practical informations
The IMBC
The International Marine Biotechnology Conference (IMBC) is the leading conference on marine biotechnology, bringing together global leaders in the field since 1989. Its mission is to inform and facilitate exchanges among students, researchers, technologists, policymakers, and industry professionals. The IMBCs attract both local and international participants, offering a communication platform among international scholarly societies working in marine biotechnology. The IMBC is organized under the auspices of the IMBA (International Marine Biotechnology Association) and is associated with the “Marine Biotechnology” journal.
The philosophy of IMBC in the 21st century is based on applying scientific advances in marine science, molecular biology, engineering, and information technology to gain a better understanding of marine ecosystems. The goal is to develop new products, processes, or services while ensuring sustainable management of marine resources. Marine biotechnology, which combines both fundamental and applied research, is essential for innovations in sectors such as health, food, cosmetics, pollution control, and energy production.
2025 Conference
The conferences will cover a wide range of topics, from marine pharmacology to bioenergy. They will bring together internationally renowned experts, fostering high-level scientific exchange.
IMBC promotes the development of international partnerships among laboratories, universities, and companies, thus accelerating research and innovation and the creation of consortia. By promoting discoveries and strengthening global dialogue, IMBC also aims to draft a roadmap for developing innovative and sustainable solutions for the future of marine biotechnology.
Programme
10 sessions are planned, as well as master classes on the following topics:
- Marine Drugs, Bioactive Compounds and Nutraceuticals
- Marine Algal Omics and Biotechnology
- Climate Change, Environmental Stressors and Marine Biotechnology
- Innovative approach to sustainable aquaculture and fisheries
- Biomaterials and mineralization
- Novel foods from the ocean
- Blue carbon, Marine Bioenergy, and biofuels
- Marine microbiology, marine symbiosis and marine ecology
- Disease and Immunology in Aquaculture
- Blue Innovation, Science to Policy
Wednesday 9 July will be held at:
- the MNHN Marine Station in Concarneau on the theme of “Biomimicry: Innovative Solutions Inspired by the Ocean”
- the Université Bretagne Sud in Lorient on the theme of “biofilm and control strategies”
- the Sorbonne-Université Marine Station in Roscoff on the theme of “algae and associated bacterial communities”.
Conference directors
Prof. Claire Hellio and Prof. Nathalie Bourgougnon
International Scientific Committee
Prof. Song Qin (president of IMBA)
Prof. Haruko Takeyama (vice-president of IMBA)
Prof. Tiago H. Silva (president of ESMB)
Prof. Concetta Messina (former president of ESMB)
local organising committee
UBO- LEMAR et LUBEM : Claire Hellio and Laurence Meslet
UBS – LBCM : Nathalie Bourgougnon & Alexis Bazire
Sorbonne Université : Simon Dittami & Catherine Leblanc
MHNH : Nadia Améziane
UBO sub-committee : Stéphanie Madec & Zoe Morreew
Sorbonne Université sub-committee: Simon Dittami, Catherine Leblanc, Philippe Potin, Lionel Cladiere & Anne Claire Baudoux
MNHN sub-committee : Guillaume Massé
UBS sub-committee : Isabelle Linossier
Welcome to Brittany
The conference is being held in Brest, on the premises of the Université de Bretagne Occidentale (UBO), the home site of the European Society for Marine Biotechnology since 2014. Sessions will also be held at the Roscoff marine station, the MNHN marine station in Concarneau and the Université de Bretagne Sud, enabling speakers to visit strategic sites.
With a vast and rich coastline, strong academic and industrial skills (70 companies) throughout the region, Brittany has established itself as a leading player in marine bioresources for the benefit of many industries:
- Cosmetics
- Food processing
- use of fishing by-products, filleting waste and shellfish collection residues
- Packaging
- Paints
Brest is a metropolis of 400,000 inhabitants, a tourist area as well as a living centre. There are many hotels in Brest, ranging from 1 to 4 stars, with prices from €50 to €150 per night. Rooms for students are also available in the centre of Brest, 10 minutes by tram from Brest Arena. The city and its outskirts have many attractive facilities and points of interest, such as Océanopolis, the Ateliers des Capucins linked to the city centre by France’s first urban cable car, and the Conservatoire botanique National de Brest. The city was recently classified as a ‘City of Art and History’. Innovative and open to the world, Brest stands out from other French cities for its links with the marine environment and its cutting-edge marine science and technology sector. In fact, it was from the port of Brest that great explorers set off to discover new worlds: La Pérouse, Kerguelen, Bougainville… Brest has a TGV station in the city centre and an international airport close to the city centre, with a shuttle and tramway service. Brest Bretagne international airport offers a number of international flights and a wide choice of flights via Paris (Orly or Charles de Gaulle).
Important dates
Toubkal (Morocco) and Maghreb PHC international meetings
Moroccan, Tunisian and French delegations welcomed to the UBO for the Toubkal (Morocco) and Maghreb CHP international meetings
From 21 June to 25 June, the IUEM welcomed members of the ‘Toubkal’ and ‘Maghreb’ Partenariats Hubert Curien (PHC) committees for their annual sessions.
The Partenariats Hubert Curien (PHC) support the international scientific and technological exchanges of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs (MEAE), with the support of the Ministry of Higher Education and Research (MESR). The sessions organised in Brest provide an opportunity to select new research projects in all scientific disciplines and to take stock of these partnerships with Morocco, Tunisia and France.
The Maghreb CHP delegation was made up of the Director of the CNRST in Morocco, Ms Jamila EL ALAMI, the Director General of Scientific Research in Tunisia, Mr Mourad BELLASSOUED, the MAGHREB CHP coordinator, Jacques DEVERCHERE, the French co-chairs of the bilateral committees, the scientific attachés of the French embassies in Rabat and Tunis, and representatives of the ministries involved in the 3 countries. Nearly 40 projects submitted on the Campus France PHC MAGHREB website were discussed by the partners.
The Toubkal CHP delegation was made up of the Moroccan co-chair of the Committee, Ms Jamila EL ALAMI, Director of the CNRST in Morocco, the French co-chair of the Committee, Mr Valery BOTTON, the scientific attaché from the French Embassy in Rabat, representatives of the ministries involved and 14 Tunisian and French scientific experts responsible for evaluating more than 100 projects submitted to the Campus France TOUBKAL CHP website.
The sessions were held at the IUEM and the PNBI and took place in a very cordial and constructive atmosphere.
European Institute for Marine Studies – 2018
The IUEM is member of the Interdisciplinary graduate School for the Blue planet ISblue
