One of the most exciting aspects of marine biotechnology is bioprospecting: the search for new natural compounds that can be used as novel pharmaceuticals, healthcare products, agrichemicals for crop protection, and novel bioremediation agents for environmental protection. A new marine-derived analgesic drug, ziconotide (trade name "prialt"), was recently licensed in the USA and other drugs, currently in the late stages of clinical trials, are likely to follow soon. This has fuelled enormous interest in marine biotechnology.

This book critically reviews the most innovative...