Emerging pathogens in the fish farming industry and sequencing-based pathogen discovery

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Research
• Genomics
• Pathogen Discovery

Background:

• Large-scale DNA/RNA sequencing is now fundamental in biomedical research.
• Decreased sequencing costs and enhanced computational power drive innovation in genomics and transcriptomics.
• Emerging pathogens pose risks to human and animal health, influenced by globalization and environmental changes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review recent advancements in pathogen discovery utilizing sequence data.
• To focus on the identification of viruses affecting Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar).

Main Methods:

• Utilizing large-scale DNA/RNA sequencing for pathogen identification.
• Analyzing genomic and transcriptomic data for novel viral detection.

Main Results:

• Sequence-based methods have made previously infeasible pathogen discovery possible.
• Fish farming systems present unique challenges for studying emerging pathogens.

Conclusions:

• Sequence data analysis is a powerful tool for identifying emerging pathogens, particularly viruses in aquaculture.
• Continued research is vital for understanding and mitigating viral threats in farmed fish populations.