Bluecomposite 16S highthroughput sequencing of aquaculture experiment

The global aquaculture sector, growing at an average annual rate of 4%, has become one of the fastest growing food industries. It is estimated that by 2030 the aquaculture sector will provide > 60% of the total consumed fish in the world. Intensive recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) are being increasingly seen as an important technology to meet the demand for fish. Fish production at high densities, however, often results in the disruption of natural microbiomes leading to disease outbreaks or contributing to the development of emergent pathogens. Currently, disease outbreaks are a major constraint for the economic and sustainable development of the global aquaculture sector. In this project we hypothesize that innovative composite materials can be developed for manipulation of the whole aquaculture microbiome. If successful, this project can contribute for the development of a new technology to suppress the development of fish pathogens, reduce the problems associated with the use of antibiotics and improve nutrient cycling during fish production. Studies aiming the development and implementation of microbiome modulation technologies in aquaculture systems are strategically important for the sustainable development of the sector.