Aquaculture is currently the fastest-growing sector in global food production. Nevertheless, its sustainability is facing a critical challenge due to the ongoing and predicted impacts of climate change. Adapting to anticipated changes in the short-term, while implementing long-term mitigation strategies, is essential to maintain profitability. Consequently, gaining new insights into how farmed animals cope with existing aquaculture practices is of paramount importance for enhancing sector management and sustainability.
Inadequate farming conditions can lead to the excessive use of antibiotics for both preventive and therapeutic purposes, which is a significant factor contributing to the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance. Hence, there is an urgent need for alternative and sustainable infection management strategies.
In this context, the A2S team is committed to exploring innovative and sustainable solutions to enhance the health and well-being of farmed animals. The team's efforts encompass both a fundamental understanding of the underlying mechanisms and practical collaborations with industry partners. Current research initiatives involve identifying robust biomarker signatures for animal health and welfare. These signatures will play a pivotal role in the development of cutting-edge predictive tools and non-invasive biosensors, marking a significant advancement in precision veterinary medicine. This progress extends to areas such as predicting animal disease susceptibility, enhancing diagnostic capabilities, and optimizing treatment responses for smart farming practices.
Specifically, the research conducted by the A2S Team focuses on the following key areas:
Sustainable Approaches for Animal Health: The team is actively exploring nutritional strategies aimed at improving animal health management. These strategies are anticipated to reduce the reliance on unsustainable solutions like antimicrobials. Furthermore, the team is also investigating biotechnological concepts, including genetic enhancement, passive immunization, and innovative delivery methods for oral vaccines.
Host-Pathogen Interactions: Understanding the dynamics of host-pathogen interactions is pivotal for comprehending infectious diseases, as well as their treatment and prevention. The team's research delves into the various stages of infection, shedding light on how pathogens invade and proliferate within their hosts. Particular attention is given to emerging and fastidious bacterial and parasitic infections.
Uncovering Neuro-Endocrine/Immune Interactions: The team is conducting studies to discern the effects of stressful husbandry conditions, acute, and chronic inflammatory conditions on the neuroendocrine-immune network. This research explores the role of neurotransmitters like serotonin, stress hormone cortisol, and opioid receptors in modulating the immune response in both central and peripheral systems.