LISBON, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- The XVI International Symposium on Marine Natural Products and the XI European Congress on Marine Natural Products opened on Sunday in Peniche, west Portugal.
The five-day meeting will have 36 oral and nearly 200 written presentations from experts and young rising researchers on biosynthesis, medicinal chemistry, biology and chemical biotechnology, discovery and development of marine-based medicines and ecology.
"In addition to presenting successful stories, the congress will present discoveries of new compounds, which may be used in new drugs as well as in cosmetic products," explained Rui Pedrosa, the organizer and president of the Leiria Polytechnic Institute, quoted by Portuguese Lusa News Agency.
"When we think of the high potential of the ocean and its natural resources in marine biotechnology known as the 'blue economy', marine natural products are most likely one of the greatest opportunities to generate economic value and solutions to various problems, particularly in health," he added.
The meeting will be attended by more than 200 researchers from around the world.
