Marine genetics play an essential role in biodiversity studies, ecosystem monitoring, and biotechnology, yet little is known about how marine genetic sequences are translated into commercial applications. Although international frameworks such as the BBNJ Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity address access and benefit sharing, effective implementation requires empirical insight into how marine genes are used. H...

The United Nations' “Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction” (BBNJ) Agreement establishes a broad framework regulating activities—including scientific research—in marine Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ), with the aim of advancing long‐term conservation and sustainable use. Here, we offer a practical guide for researchers hoping to understand how the BBNJ Agreement will impact their work upon entry into force, highl...

Mpox is a globally prevalent disease that has triggered multiple epidemics over the past few decades, leading to moderate rates of hospitalisation and mortality. Recently, it has re-emerged in several countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo, and appears to be spreading at an unprecedented pace. The disease is caused by zoonotic double-stranded DNA viruses. Due to its similarities with smallpox, distinguishing bet...

Bovine mastitis is a worldwide disease affecting dairy cattle and causes major economic losses in the dairy industry. Recently, the emergence of microbial resistance to the current antibiotics complicates the treatment protocol which necessitates antibiotic stewardship and further research to find new active compounds. Recently, phytobiotics have gained interest in being used as an alternative to antibiotics in the poultry ind...

Growing human activity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ) is driving increasing impacts on the biodiversity of this vast area of the ocean. As a result, the United Nations General Assembly committed to convening a series of intergovernmental conferences (IGCs) to develop an international legally-binding instrument (ILBI) for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of ABNJ [the biodiversity...

Negotiations are underway for a new treaty for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Points of contention in the negotiation concern marine genetic resources and questions of monetary and/or non-monetary benefit sharing arising from their use. Tracing the origin of marine genetic resources used in scientific research...