Project description
Improving aquaculture growth through epigenetics
Aquaculture, the controlled cultivation of fish and shellfish, offers a sustainable alternative to traditional fisheries. Nile tilapia, a key species in this sector, faces challenges in growth optimisation. Current breeding methods focus only on genetics, overlooking other factors that affect growth. In this context, the ERC-funded EPISELECT project aims to explore epigenetic markers, specifically non-coding RNAs, to improve tilapia growth and breeding practices. By combining ncRNAs with DNA markers, the project aims to improve selective breeding. This innovation promises higher profits and sustainability for the aquaculture sector. The project’s roadmap includes marker exploration, validation, IPR strategy, market assessment, and industry collaboration.
Objective
"Aquaculture, the process of controlled fish and shellfish cultivation, is a sustainable alternative to fisheries. The sector has seen tremendous growth and Nile tilapia is one of the most important commercially farmed species worldwide. To date, the optimization of production yields is limited to traditional selective breeding programs, that exclusively focus on genetic markers. As a result, unknown variability in growth selection remains, which may be diminished through epigenetic selection.
Prof. Jorge Fernandes’ group has found evidence for the direct involvement of multiple categories of epigenetic markers in growth rate and size of Nile tilapia. During the ERC Consolidator project EPIFISH (#683210), Fernandes’ group observed important differences in expression levels of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs): full-sibling groups of Nile tilapia with distinct growth rates expressed different sets of ncRNAs in muscle, despite being reared under the same environmental conditions.
EPISELECT will explore the technical and commercial feasibility of a multi-panel for the assessment of epigenetic markers for fish growth optimization. This multi-panel will assess the newly discovered ncRNAs in combination with the previously identified DNA modification markers. As a result, EPISELECT may improve selective breeding programs, leading to higher profitability and increased sustainability of the aquaculture sector.
To reach the proof-of-concept stage, we will:
1) Explore ncRNA markers for growth prediction and validate the multi-panel of epimarkers;
2) Define an IPR position and strategy;
3a) Assess the market size, added value, cost analysis, and commercialisation route of the novel multi-panel of epigenetic markers;
3b) Establish connections with aquaculture industry and embed the project for commercialisation."
Fields of science
Keywords
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC) Main Programme
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept GrantsHost institution
8026 Bodo
Norway