Excerpt and Photo from downtoearth.org.in
Researchers at the BRIC-Institute of Life Sciences in Bhubaneswar, sampling coral holobionts near Swaraj Dweep, Elephant Beach, Shaheed Dweep, Henry Lawrence Island and Jolly Buoy Island, have uncovered previously unknown microbial diversity in the Andaman Sea. The newly identified bacteria include strains with potential applications in biotechnology, anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory therapies, bioremediation of sulphur and aromatic compounds, and green industrial processes.
The findings strengthen the case for systematic investment in coral-associated biodiversity under India's Blue Economy agenda, which is coordinated by the Ministry of Earth Sciences and linked to the Deep Ocean Mission's plan for bioprospecting marine life in support of pharmaceuticals and environmental technology.