New Zealand’s largely unexplored ocean ecosystems are set to play a role in the future of global skincare, with two leading research organisations joining a major international science consortium.
Cawthron Institute and Callaghan Innovation’s Biotechnologies Group are the New Zealand partners in OCEOMICS, a Horizon Europe-funded project involving 12 organisations across eight countries, led by Spanish research institute AINIA.
The project aims to identify new bioactive compounds from marine microorganisms that could be used in high-value skincare products, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, UV-protecting and skin barrier formulations. Artificial intelligence, genomic screening and biotechnology tools will be used to fast-track discovery and testing.
New Zealand’s involvement will focus on its unique and largely untapped marine biodiversity. Cawthron will lead research into marine microalgae, while Callaghan Innovation’s Biotechnologies Group will study marine bacteria collected from New Zealand waters, including pristine coastal, sub-Antarctic and subtropical environments.
Dr Johan Svenson, science impact manager at Cawthron Institute, says New Zealand sits at the edge of some of the most biologically diverse and least studied ocean environments on Earth.
“This project gives us the tools and the international partners to start unlocking what may be a remarkable natural resource, with real potential for commercial outcomes that benefit New Zealand.”
“Being selected as part of a Horizon Europe consortium is a significant recognition of the quality of New Zealand’s marine science and an exciting first for Cawthron Institute. We’re proud to bring our expertise to this global programme.”
Johan says the consortium is grateful for the support of the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, which funds and manages New Zealand’s association to pillar II of Horizon Europe on behalf of the Government. This enables New Zealand researchers to lead and participate in projects addressing major global challenges.
Paul Rose, biotechnologies group leader at Callaghan Innovation, says the country’s marine biodiversity is a largely untapped source of opportunity.
“Marine bacteria are extraordinarily diverse biochemical factories. New Zealand’s waters offer access to microbial ecosystems that simply don’t exist anywhere else in the world.”
“Through OCEOMICS, we have the opportunity to screen these organisms at scale using AI-driven tools that would have been unimaginable a decade ago.”
Cawthron Institute Pou Arataki, chief Māori, Indigenous and transdisciplinary partnerships officer Anaru Luke, says the project has been designed in line with New Zealand’s legal, ethical and Treaty obligations from the outset.
“What’s unique about this project is that sampling will proceed subject to agreement with iwi, guided by Te Tiriti-based principles including partnership, kaitiakitanga and respect for mātauranga Māori.”
“Critically, no organisms will leave New Zealand. Only extracts and genomic data will be shared with consortium partners, and all genomic and metabolomic data will be stored and stewarded in New Zealand to support data sovereignty.”
Anaru says any commercially promising strains will be characterised in New Zealand, with downstream commercial benefits shared with participating iwi.
“Iwi are invited to participate in all parts of the New Zealand programme, including sampling, research and product development, and to grow their own knowledge of marine biodiscovery and the emerging blue bioeconomy.”
