Saccharina japonica Metagenome

Saccharina japonica, an economically significant farmed seaweed, has increasingly been affected by bleaching disease during its nursery stage, resulting in substantial yield losses. However, the pathogens responsible for this bleaching disease and their virulence mechanisms remain unclear. These knowledge gaps present a major barrier to effectively managing this disease. To address this, we employed metagenomic sequencing of both healthy and bleached sporelings. By comparing the microbial composition and functional characteristics of healthy and bleached tissues, we can elucidate the composition of the pathobiome associated with bleaching disease and its potential pathogenic mechanisms. This project will provide deeper insights into the microbial dynamics influencing seaweed health, offering critical information for the development of effective disease management and control strategies in seaweed aquaculture.