New Blue Revolution through a pioneering pathogen-trapping technology based on bioselective hydrogel-forming proteins

Project Information

PathoGelTrap

Grant agreement ID: 899616

DOI

10.3030/899616

Project closed

EC signature date 28 May 2020

Start date 1 June 2020

End date 30 November 2023

Funded under

• EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Future and Emerging Technologies (FET)

Total cost

€ 2 996 437,50

EU contribution

€ 2 996 437,50

Coordinated by

INSTYTUT FIZYKI POLSKIEJ AKADEMII NAUK
Poland

Periodic Reporting for period 2 - PathoGelTrap (New Blue Revolution through a pioneering pathogen-trapping technology based on bioselective hydrogel-forming proteins)

Reporting period: 2021-06-01 to 2023-11-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

Aquaculture currently supplies more than 50% of all the human consumption of fish and seafood, and is a key player to ensure future food and nutrition security, especially in poor countries where fish is the main source of proteins. To meet the challenge of feeding a rapidly growing global population, large-scale farming is needed. However, intensive farming models could drive to an increase in disease outbreaks, impacting fish health, production, the environment and the economy of this industry. Disease outbreaks could become a major constraint to the expansion of aquaculture and have a significant impact on the economic development and aquatic products supply, as well as for the environment. The number of tools available for disease control in European aquaculture is limited. The use of medication is necessarily largely controlled, and prevention programmes include a combination of the use on vaccination, water general disinfection treatments and management programmes. Sustainable solutions for preventing and controlling pathogen hazards are used in ecological aquaculture (quarantine, lower fish density, better health management, etc.). However, these solutions are sometimes difficult to transfer to intensive farming without an unaffordable reduction of industry production. In this context, new models to control and prevent pathogen infections are urgently needed for ensuring longevity and sustainability of the so-called “Blue Revolution”.
The project will provide the industry with a proof of concept of a pioneering pathogen-trapping technology, able to target and remove specific pathogenic agents directly from the water.
We have developed viable and specific binders for Betanodavirus and Yersinia. The trapping capabilities of final chimeras against Betanodavirus have been confirmed.
Optimized models for the description of the clusterization and gelation of selected LCDs
Rigorous analysis of LCA & LCC & SLCA of the technology that guide the parameters for developing the technology further.
An environmental risk analysis model for further analysis of the final products to be developed.
A portfolio of products in different fields of application (water quality, aquaculture safety, diagnosis)
Extensive interviews and surveys with relevant stakeholders to guide the development of the Exploitation Plan, product portfolio and product acceptance.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

We develop PathoGelTrap (PGT), a tool to bind specific pathogens in water. We use the current knowledge on the self-assembling properties of the LLPS proteins to perform rational design of a chimeric LCR-AFB-like biomaterial that will recognize pathogens (both viruses and bacteria) and trap them. We aim to provide the industry with two different solutions, PGT Liquid to be added directly into the fish-farm water, and PGT Filter for trapping targeted pathogens. We chose two models, Betanodavirus affecting Seabass, and Yersinia affecting rainbow trout.
Viral Nervous Necrosis (VNN) also known as Viral Encephalopathy and Retinopathy (VER), is a hazardous and devastating disease of many species of cultured and marine fish worldwide. It is caused by Betanodaviruses, causing severe mortality. European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax L.) is a very valuable fish species in Mediterranean countries, and it is currently one of the main cultured fish species in Europe.
Enteric redmouth disease (ERM), generally accruing amongst cultured salmonids, causes significant economic losses. The disease is caused by Yersinia ruckeri, a gram-negative bacteria.
To use of PGT products in marine and fresh water, chimeras containing selected binders were produced, with high-affinity binding to model pathogens. The trapping capabilities of chimeras against Betanodavirus are confirmed, with the sequestered virus unable to replicate. This gives high specificity and maximum efficiency.
A new strategy based on the immobilization of self-assemble monolayers (SAMs) of chimera was designed and preliminarily evaluated for Filter functionalisation.
A sensitivity analysis carried out by UCD revealed inputs influencing the model predictions, directing future research and helping identify risk mitigations.
LCA, LCC and SLCA were caried out by LOM, identifying hotspots and optimising pathways. A Comparison of the environmental and economic footprint of PGT solution with respect to conventional water disinfection options.
A COST ACTION, BIOAQUA “Enhancing knowledge of biomolecular solutions for the well-being of European aquaculture sector” was initiated.
Interviews with fish farmers were carried out to get feed-back on the PGT concept for health management, and the business opportunity. PGT Filter would address a critical and largely unmet need within the spectrum of fish farming tools.
Patent No. 23328158.6-1111 “PATHOGEN TRAPPING SYSTEMS AND RELATED AQUACULTURAL USES” has been filed European Patent Office.
The Exploitation Plan is focused on the PGT Filter application, and also included profiles for exploitation of results beyond the active protein.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

New biomolecular tools for disease control are on demand for Health Management Programmes within animal production systems. However, the success of novel, new technologies depends to a large degree on the public’s risk-benefit perception. The perceived risk from LCR-AFB-like biomaterial is largely based on the uncertainties related to its release and fate in the environment. With novel products, materials and processes comes potential secondary risks related to usage and disposal. The fate and behaviour of these biomaterials, maybe of ecotoxicological, and subsequently human toxicological concern. Unintended and unmanaged exposure to these biomaterials, coupled with their novel physico-chemical characteristics and behaviours, may result in adverse (eco)toxicological effects. Exposure modelling involves the collection of data relating to the characteristics, release and fate of a biomaterial and the application of this data to theory relating to environmental or biological fate and behaviour in order to quantify actual or potential environmental or human risk from the biomaterial of concern.
The use of PGT as an integral part of the biosecurity strategy of the aquaculture sector will improve the tool-box for disease prevention. This will translate into better health management, improved animal welfare, more precise pathogen removal, reduced transfer of pathogen charge to the environment.
The proof of concept of using PGT Liquid technology for aquaculture water treatment, with the successful removal of a targeted pathogen (Betanodavirus), represents a significant innovation and a key goal of the PathoGelTrap project.
Several models have been created and properly parameterized. We described mutations that could be used instead of phosphorylation to achieve gelation (lowering production costs)
The LCC and LCA analysis, oriented the exploitation plan to the margins in which PGT Filter’s potential cost advantage positions it as a viable alternative in the context of reducing antibiotic use. According to consultations with farmers, PGT Filter would address a critical and largely unmet need within the spectrum of fish farming tools.
It is noteworthy that the project has incorporated the participation of a number of young researchers and professionals that are susceptible to continue developing the lines of work initiated in this project.

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