Research Centres > Research Centers > Excellence in Marine Biotechnology Center

Excellence in Marine Biotechnology Center

The sea is an immensely rich source of organisms and habitats, many of which remain largely unexplored. Innovative approaches are required to exploit this underutilized resource. Oman has extensive and diverse marine resources and a long maritime tradition, and therefore occupies a key position on the map of prospective biotechnology nations.

The Center of Excellence in Marine Biotechnology will focus on capacity building and will make optimal use of Omani marine resources. A sustainable development in Oman will thereby be created that will encourage future growth and prosperity.

Community Service

Third GCC Marine Biotechnology Conference: Emerging opportunities and future perspectives, Muscat, Oman, 8-9 December 2021.
Second GCC Marine Biotechnology Conference: Emerging opportunities and future perspectives, Muscat, Oman, 31 October - 1 November 2017.

The International Conference on Fisheries, Aquaculture and Environment in the Indian Ocean; 24-26 February 2015, SQU, Muscat.
International Conference Sustainable Aquaculture Development in the Sultanate of Oman Investment Opportunities, Muscat, Oman, 10-11 December 2011.
The International Conference on the Economic Importance of Fisheries and their Impact on Public Health, Muscat, Oman, 8-10 March 2008.

Marine Biotechnology Symposium Emerging opportunities and future perspectives, Muscat, Oman, 12-13 November 2013.

Workshop on Taxonomy and Ecology of Benthic Microphytocommunities by Scanning Electron, Muscat, Oman, 17-18 December 2018.
Workshop on Advanced Scanning Electron Microscopy, Muscat, Oman, 16 and 18 December 2018.
Workshop on Advanced Scanning Electron Microscopy, Muscat, Oman, 9-11 January 2018.
Workshop on advanced molecular genetics and bioinformatics tools ‘Implementation of microsatellite markers for phylogenetic studies of spiny lobsters (Panulirus homarus)’, Sultan Qaboos University, 12-23 November 2017.
Workshop on Standard Scanning Electron Microscopy (sSEM), Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman, 2 November 2017.
Workshop on Advanced Scanning Electron Microscopy, Muscat, Oman, 7 December 201
Workshop on Standard Scanning Electron Microscopy (sSEM), Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman, 16 November 2016.
Workshop for the Final Year of the HM Project Supported by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Trust Fund for Strategic Research "Value Added Marine Raw Materials and Health", Muscat, Oman, April 2009.
Workshop on "Value-Added Marine Raw Materials and Health", Muscat, Oman, September 2006.
UNESCO Workshop and Consultative Meeting on Marine Biotechnology, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman, 27-28 February 2006.
A kick-off meeting and workshop of the HM Project " Value-Added Marine Raw Materials and Health", Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman, 11 September 2005.

Advanced oxidation processes for degrading persistent organic contaminants, Muscat, Oman, 7 November 2019.
The main trends in the development of track membranes for medicine and biotechnology as a successful example of ion-track technologies application, Muscat, Oman, 20 December 2016.

Dobretsov S. 2017. Research at the Marine Science and Fisheries department and the Centre of Excellence in Marine Biotechnology. Invited speaker at the University of Concepcion, Chile, 7 August 2017.
Dobretsov S. 2015. Combating biofilms using zinc oxide nanorod photocatalytic coatings. Invited keynote speaker at the Meeting of the Society of European Marine Biotechnology, Gothenburg, Sweden, 30 September 2015.
Dobretsov S. 2015. Combating marine biofouling. Invited keynote speaker at the LEAF, EU FP7 project meeting, Gothenburg, Sweden, 29 September 2015.
Dobretsov S. 2015. New frontiers in Marine Biotechnology. Invited keynote speaker at the XI Biofouling, Benthic Ecology and Marine Biotechnology –BIOINC, Arraial Do Cabo, RJ, Brazil 27/07-21/07/2015, p.2.
Soussi B. 2013. Building a marine biotechnology research and business cluster in Oman. Invited speaker at the Marine Biotechnology Symposium Emerging opportunities and future perspectives, Muscat, Oman, 12-13 November 2013.
Goddard J.S. 2013. Aquaculture biotechnology. Invited speaker at the International Symposium of Biotechnology and Conservation of Species from Arid Regions, Muscat, Oman, 10-13 February 2013.
Goddard J.S. 2012. Tilapia Farming Developments and Opportunities. Invited speaker at the Workshop on Sustainable Water Use for Food Security, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman, 20-21 March 2012.
Soussi B. 2011. Research and collaboration strategy of the Marine Biotechnology Centre of Excellence Oman. Invited speaker at the National Field Centre for Environmental Conservation: Strategy Workshop, Muscat, Oman, 10-12 December 2011.
Soussi B. 2010. Marine Biotechnology Park in Oman for Research & Business. UPMC, University of Paris, June 2010.
Soussi B. 20 Building a Cluster in Marine Biotechnology in Oman. Invited speaker at Sustaining Agricultural and Marine Environments Seminar Series, Muscat, Oman, February 2010.
Soussi B. 2008. Center of Excellence in Marine Biotechnology Vision. Invited speaker at VC’s presentation. September 2008.
Soussi B. 2008. Concept of Marine Biotechnology Center for Oman. Invited speaker at Investor Meeting with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Paris, France, September 2008.
Soussi B. 2007. Marine Biotechnology for Oman. Invited seminar held at The Research Council, Muscat, Oman, 19 May 2007.
Soussi B. 2007. Clusters in marine biotechnology and biodiversity. Invited speaker and Chairman of session at International Conference on Biodiversity in the Indian-Ocean. Muscat, Oman, February 2007.
Soussi B. 2006. Antioxidants from marine raw materials and health. Invited speaker at University Day at Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, 2 May 2006.
Soussi B. 2005. Marine raw materials and health. Invited speaker at University Day at Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, 19 May 2005.

Al-Wahaibi A. From Nature to Market a Successful Business Story of Microbial Enzymes. GenoBusiness Forum, 10 December 2020.

Dobretsov S. New techniques for analysis of microbial deep sea biofouling: challengers and perspectives. MARESEDU Marine Research and Education online conference. Moscow, Russia, 30 October 2020.

Al-Wahaibi A.S. Treasure at the ocean. Invited speaker at the Science Cafe, Phenuq Cafe, OAPGRC, 25 December 2019.

Dobretsov S. 2017. Antimicrobial drugs from marine organism. Invited speaker at 4th Science and Technology Exchange Program (STEP) in Islamic Countries held at Sultan Qaboos University, 2-5 December 2018.

Al-Breiki R. 2017. The Tropical Spiny Lobster (Panulirus homarus): Fisheries, Current Research and Future Perspectives For Oman. Lecture Theatre 5, Sultan Qaboos University, 27 December 2017.

Dobretsov S. 2017. Research at the Marine Science and Fisheries department and the Centre of Excellence in Marine Biotechnology. Invited speaker at the University of Concepcion, Chile, 7 August 2017.

Dobretsov S. 201 Research at the Centre of Excellence in Marine Biotechnology. Open house, Sultan Qaboos University 201

Delghandi M. 2017. Biotechnology, aquaculture to drive fisheries sector growth. Sultan Qaboos University, 2 February 2017.

Aeby G. Coral diseases, Muscat, Oman, 7 October 2021
Dobretsov S. Marine Biotechnology: past, present and the future. VII Jornadas andaluzas de Biotecnologicas, Malaga, Spain, 4 December 2020.
Dobretsov S. Prevention of biofouling by photocatalytic nanocoatings. Cape Town, South Africa, 8 February 2020.
Dobretsov S. Marine biotechnology - past, present, futures, Shanghai Ocean University, China, 24 October 2019.
Dobretsov S. Marine biotechnology for sustainable futures, University of Malaga, Spain, 23 September 2019
Dobretsov S. Marine biotechnology for sustainable futures, Catholic University of the North, Chile, 10 July 2019.
Dobretsov S. Prevention of industrial biofouling by green solutions, KTH, Sweden, 4 April 2019.
Petrik L. What is in our water and how to remove it?, Muscat, Oman, 1 October 201
Al-Breiki R. The Tropical Spiny Lobster (Panulirus homarus): Fisheries, Current Research and Future Perspectives for Oman, Muscat, Oman, 27 December 2017.
Delghandi M. Marine Biotechnology: Contribution to sustainable economy, Muscat, Oman, 1 February 2017.

Dobretsov S. Chemical ecology of marine macroalgae, University Catolica del Norte, Chile, 22-27 July 2019.

No.	Name	Period
1	Ms. Azhar Al-Busaidi	31 March - 15 May 2019
2	Ms.Christina Karanassos	24 February - 23 March 2019
3	Ms. Arwan Al-Miqbali	17 January - 1 June 2019
4	Ms. Buthaina Khamis Al-Khaziri	14 October - 8 November 2018
5	Ms. Mansi H. Ved	9 May - 3 July 2018
6	Ms. Hamada Saoud Said Al-Mugheiri	1-14 August 2016

Dobretsov S., Al-Abri M. and Dutta J. 2021. Inhibition of biofouling by chitosan-ZnO nanocomposites. Third GCC Marine Biotechnology Conference: Emerging opportunities and future perspectives, 8-9 December 2021, Muscat, Oman.
Menezes-Blackburn D., Al-Mahrouqi N., Al-Siyabi B., Al-Kalbani A., Greiner R. and Dobretsov S. 2021. Bacterial communities associated with the cycling of non-starch polysaccharides and phytate in aquaponics systems. Third GCC Marine Biotechnology conference: Emerging opportunities and future perspectives 8-9 December 2021, Oman. Muscat.
Dobretsov S., Claereboudt M. and Delghandi M. 2019. Diversity, genetics and biological activities of soft corals Sinularia spp. and Sarcophyton spp. (Octocorallia) in the sea of Oman. Poster presentation at the Arabian Coral Reefs Conference, UAE, 11-13 November 2019.
Al-Wahaibi A., Muckle J., Upstill-Goddard R.C. and Burgess J.G. 2019. Bacterial nucleases in Marine Gel Particles (MGP). Poster presentation at the Omani Day in Excellence, UK, 26 March 2019.
De Stefano M., Majewska R., Nasrolahi A. and Dobretsov S. 2018. Diatoms communities on marine green turtles (Chenolia mydas) from distant biogeographic areas: recent findings and theri implications. Poster presentation at the 19th International Congress on Marine Corrosion and Fouling, Florida, USA, 24-29 June 2018.
Dobretsov S. 2018. Counting the uncountable: Reliability of quantitative analysis of bacteria using epiflourescent microscopy. Poster presentation at the 19th International Congress on Marine Corrosion and Fouling, Florida, USA, 24-29 June 2018.
Dobretsov S., Tamimi Y., Al-Kindi M. and Burney I. 201 Anti-cancer compounds from Omani marine organisms. Poster presentation at the Second GCC Marine Biotechnology Conference: Emerging opportunities and future perspectives, Muscat, Oman, 31 October-1 November 2017.
Delghandi M., Al-Hinai M., Afzal H. and Al-Wahaibi M. 2017. Parentage analysis of tropical spiny lobster (Panulirus homarus) by microsattelite markers. Poster presentation at the Second GCC Marine Biotechnology Conference: Emerging opportunities and future perspectives, Muscat, Oman, 31 October-1 November 2017.
Dobretsov S. and Muthukrishnan T. 2017. Microbial communities on commercial antifouling coatings. Poster presentation at the 2nd National Conference on Agriculture & Fisheries Research, Muscat, 3-4 April 2017.
Al-Fori M., Myint M.T.Z., Dobretsov S. and Dutta J. 2017. Antifouling properties of ZnO nanorod coatings. Poster presentation at the 2nd National Conference on Agriculture & Fisheries Research, Muscat, 3-4 April 2017.
Sathe P., Myint MTZ, Dobretsov S., Dutta J. 2017. Removal of microalgae using visible light photocatalysis with ZnO nanorods. Poster presentation at the 2nd National Conference on Agriculture and Fisheries Research, Muscat, Oman, 3-4 April 2017.
Dobretsov S., Muthukrishnan T. 2017. Microbial Biofouling on commercial antifouling coatings. Poster presentation at the 2nd National Conference on Agriculture and Fisheries Research, Muscat, Oman, 3-4 April 2017.
Dobretsov S. 2017. Second GCC Marine biotechnology conference. Poster presentation at the 2nd National Conference on Agriculture and Fisheries Research, Muscat, Oman, 3-4 April 2017.
Delghandi M., Angel C., Al-Abri F., Al-Brashdi H., Al-Wahaibi M., Afzal H., Al-Hinai M., Al-Breiki R., Al-Jardani S., Al-Riyami S., Al-Alawi Y., Al-Rawahi M., Al-Belushi A., Claereboudt M., Yoon G.H. and Dobretsov S. 2017. Poster presentation at the 2nd National Conference on Agriculture & Fisheries Research, Muscat, 3-4 April 2017.
Dobretsov S. 2017. Prevention of biofouling by bio-inspired photocatalytic nanocoatings. Posted presentation at the International Symposium on Corrosion and Fouling Two Natural Curses for a Ship’s Hull, Antwerp, Belgium, 3 April 2017.
Dobretsov S. 2017. Second GCC Marine biotechnology conference. Poster presentation at the 2nd National Conference on Agriculture and Fisheries Research, Muscat, Oman, 3-4 April 2017.
Al-Abri F., Al-Abri W., Bose S. and Goddard JS. 2016. Design and testing of an aquaponic (Fish and hydroponic plant) production system for use in a hot arid environment. Poster presentation at the SQU Research Center’s Open House, Muscat, 13 October 2016.
Al-Wahaibi M., Al-Alawi Y., Al-Bawiqi B., Al-Marzouqi A., Malzahn A., Dobretsov S., Yoon G., Delghandi M. and Goddard S. 2016. Spiny lobster culture – new research in aquaculture biotechnology in Oman. Poster presentation at the SQU Research Center’s Open House, Muscat, 13 October 2016.
Delghandi M., Goddard J.S., Al-Marzouqi A., Al-Breiki R., Afzal H., Al-Hinai M., Al-Brashdi H., Al-Jardani S., Al-Riyami S., Al-Amry W., Jerry D. and Groeneveld J. 2016. Spatial genetic structure of tropical spiny lobster (Panulirus homarus) –using novel methods to support a new era of fisheries management and regulation. Poster presentation at the Annual Researcher Forum, Muscat, October 2016.
Goddard J.S., Al-Abri Fatma and Al-Abri Waleed. 2014. Design and Testing of an Aquaponic (Fish/Hydroponic Plant) Production System for Use in a Hot Arid Environment. Poster presentation at The Annual Researcher Forum, Muscat, October 2014.
Al-Wahaibi A., AbbasKhan A., Dobtretsov S., Proksch P. and Soussi B. 2008. Antimicrobial Activity of Soft Coral Extracts from Bandar Al-Khayran in Sultanate of Oman. Poster presentation at the 1st Euro-Mediterranean Conference on Marine Natural Products (EMCMNP-I), Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, 31 October – 4 November 2008.

Dobretsov D. SQU researcher creates packaging to extend shelf life of okra. T FM 95.4, 19 September 2018.
Al-Alawi Y. Larval culture of the tropical of the tropical spiny lobster, Panulirus homarus; a new candidate species for aquaculture in Oman. Oman Radio, 2016.
Dr. Mohamed Al- Wahaibi, shrimp diseases in aquaculture farms, Hala FM, 2023

Al-Kharusi B. Oman TV General, 15 November 2017.
Al-Wahaibi M. Oman TV General, 1 November 2017.

Course Code	Title	Department
MASF6007	Marine Biotechnology	Marine Science and Fisheries, CAMS
MASF6003	Tropical Marine Aquaculture	Marine Science and Fisheries, CAMS
MASF 3094	Marine Microbiology	Marine Science and Fisheries, CAMS

PhD Students

	Name	Year Started	Place	Status
1	Mohamed Khalfan Al-Wahaibi	2019	Hiroshima University, Japan	Completed
2	Hafidh Al-Mahrooqi	2018	University of Malaga, Spain	Completed
3	Rufaida Al-Breiki	2015	Sultan Qaboos University, Oman	Completed
4	Aisha Salim Al-Wahaibi	2014	Newcastle University, UK	Completed

MSc Students

	Name	Year Started	Place	Status
1	Mohamed Abdullah Al-Belushi	2020	Sultan Qaboos University, Oman	On-going
2	Rahma Abdullah Al-Mamari	2020	Sultan Qaboos University, Oman	On-going
3	Sumaiya Hilal Al-Riyami	2015	Sultan Qaboos University, Oman	Completed
4	Sultana Sulaiman Al-Jardani	2015	Sultan Qaboos University, Oman	Completed
5	Mohamed Khalfan Al-Wahaibi	2015	Sultan Qaboos University, Oman	Completed
6	Yasmin Hamed Al-Alawi	2015	Sultan Qaboos University, Oman	Completed
7	Huda Khalfan Al-Brashdi	2014	Sultan Qaboos University, Oman	Completed