Biotechnology offers revolution to fish health management.
Biotechnology has many applications in fish health management. The application of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) provides a rapid means of pathogen identification; antibodies to immunoglobulins from different fish species can be used to monitor the host response following vaccination; and mAbs also have the potential for screening broodstock for previous exposure to pathogens. Luminex technology exemplifies a novel antibody-based method that can be applied to both pathogen detection and vaccine development. Molecular technologies, such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), real time PCR and nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA), have enabled detection, identification and quantification of extremely low levels of aquatic pathogens, and microarray technologies offer a new dimension to multiplex screening for pathogens and host response. Recombinant DNA technology permits large-scale, low-cost vaccine production, moreover DNA vaccination, proteomics, adjuvant design and oral vaccine delivery will undoubtedly foster the development of effective fish vaccines in the future.
Institute of Aquaculture, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, UK. alexandra.adams@stir.ac.uk
Alexandra
A
Adams
Kim D
KD
Thompson
D000818:Animals; D017756:Aquaculture / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D001709:Biotechnology / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D005393:Fish Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy*; D005399:Fishes