CYANOBESITY - Cyanobacteria as a source of bioactive compounds with effects on obesity and obesity-related co-morbidities - is the new European CIIMAR project coordinated by Ralph Urbatzka.

The project aims to develop novel nutraceuticals that have the potential to improve the quality of life for millions of people worldwide.

Obesity is a global health hazard associated with health problems such as hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, sleep apnea, respiratory problems (asthma), musculoskeletal diseases (arthritis) and some forms of cancer. In the last 20 years, the percentage of obesity has nearly doubled in many European countries.

During the project marine cyanobacterial strains of a culture collection will be screened for beneficial properties towards obesity and obesity-related co-morbidities (obesity, fatty liver disease, diabetes, appetite and hyperlipidaemia) and the chemical structure will be elucidated. By applying an innovative biotechnological platform, the interactions from oral administration to the blood stream will be analyzed and with different target tissues in vitro.

Photo: João Morais - CIIMAR