The Oman Centre for Marine Biotechnology recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Swedish Algae Factory to support the domestic cultivation of algae — a source of commercially valuable nutrients and nanomaterial for the hugely lucrative marine biotechnology industry, said a report.

OCMB is a joint venture of Sultan Qaboos University (SQU) and the Oman Authority for Partnership for Development (OAPFD).

Swedish Algae Factory is a Gothenburg based start-up credited with pioneering the cultivation of microscopic algal species, called diatoms, which produce nutrients for the cosmetic industry, as well as nanomaterial for enhancing the efficiency of solar panels, and organic biomass for sustainably produced feed and fertilisers, added the Oman Daily Observer report.

Signing on behalf of OCMB, which is based at dedicated facilities at the SQU, was its chief executive officer, Prof Bassam Soussi, while the Swedish Algae Factory was represented by one of its founders, Prof Angela Wulff of the University of Gothenburg.

The signing took place during the inaugural session of a conference spotlighting the theme, ‘Frontiers in Marine Biotechnology’, which was recently held in Muscat, Oman.