Antiviral Proteins Applied as Therapeutics in Aquaculture

Introduction

In the last decades, aquaculture seems to be the only real alternative for global fish food supply. At present, the aquaculture world production has reached 82.1 million tons worldwide, representing the fastest growing animal production sector in the world.

Importance of Salmonids

Among aquaculture species, salmonid aquaculture, specifically trout and salmon species, are the highest-value species for global and European aquaculture.

Challenges in Aquaculture

The biggest global constraint to aquaculture production is disease, with an estimate of 10% of all cultured aquatic animals lost because of infectious diseases. This amounts to over 10 billion USD in losses annually on a global scale.

Viral Outbreaks

Among infectious diseases, viral outbreaks are a serious concern, as they impede the development, productivity, and profitability of fish farms. Intensive fish farming amplifies diseases caused by bacteria, viruses, and parasites, resulting in severe losses.

Current Solutions and Limitations

Few vaccines are available for viral diseases in aquaculture, and they are not completely effective. Moreover, to date, there are no antiviral therapeutic treatments to mitigate the outbreaks in unvaccinated fish or to diminish the percentage of losses not covered by prophylactic vaccines.

Research Findings

During my ERC Starting Grant, our group identified a number of antiviral proteins in rainbow trout nucleated red blood cells (RBCs) that are implicated in halting viral infections.

Project Objective

The objective of this project is to perform a Proof of Concept of the antiviral molecules previously identified. We will evaluate the new business opportunity of introducing a new antiviral therapeutic that decreases viral infection and related economic loss in aquaculture.