As part of the collaboration, Mote will provide $121,000 of funding to support studies in Florida under the Florida Red Tide Mitigation and Technology Development Initiative. HABs are caused by the blooming of certain microorganisms and are a global phenomenon. Karenia brevis (K. brevis), a single-celled organism belonging to the dinoflagellate taxonomic group, is the most common cause of red tide in Florida.
Red tides can cause seawater to appear red or brown, and organisms such as K. brevis can produce potent neurotoxins that are harmful to the health of humans and marine life and contaminate shellfish. When wind and waves disrupt the cells of K. brevis, brevetoxins can be released into the air as aerosols, causing respiratory irritation or exacerbating existing respiratory conditions in individuals exposed to the airborne toxins.
The collaboration builds on initial work by Sundew, Mote and the Bigelow Lab for Ocean Sciences (East Boothbay, Maine), demonstrating that certain marine microbial extracts manufactured by Sundew are extremely effective in controlling various HAB species, including K. brevis, whilst not affecting other marine species and degrading rapidly in water to harmless components.
The collaboration represents a significant international partnership between Florida’s premier marine research institution and a Danish industrial biotech company. It builds upon Denmark’s leading capabilities in life sciences for planetary health while developing natural, cost-effective, and environmentally benign solutions to address Florida’s red tide challenges.
Funding comes from the Florida Red Tide Mitigation and Technology Development Initiative, established by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis in 2019. The initiative coordinates public and private research efforts to develop prevention, control, and mitigation technologies for red tide impacts on Florida’s coastal environments and communities.
“Mote Marine Laboratory is dedicated to developing innovative, science-based solutions to mitigate the impacts of red tide,” said Kevin Claridge, VP for Sponsored Research & Coastal Policy Programs. “While this collaboration with Sundew is in the early stages of development, we are excited about its potential. By combining Mote’s extensive expertise in marine science with Sundew’s innovative approach, we aim to advance natural, sustainable strategies that protect Florida’s coastal ecosystems, marine life, and the communities that depend on them.”
Sundew CEO, Giovanni Salerno, added, “We are honored to partner with Mote Marine Laboratory on this crucial environmental initiative. The project allows us to apply our natural solution and precision fermentation expertise to address one of Florida’s most pressing marine challenges. It is an important part of our mission to use modern biological technologies to solve aquatic ecosystem problems.”
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and Mote Marine Laboratory are leading the Initiative, coordinating the development, testing, and implementation of innovative, environmentally sustainable technologies to control and mitigate red tide impacts.
