Project description
Genomics is the key to securing the future of European aquaculture
Aquaculture, the controlled process of farming aquatic organisms, is the fastest growing food-producing sector in the world. Maintaining fish health is vital for effective production, but infectious diseases are a constant threat. The EU-funded AQUA-FAANG project aims to improve our understanding of genome function and of the usage of genotype-to-phenotype prediction in the six most important fish species in European aquaculture. Understanding how the complete genome of the fish is controlled may address key issues such as infectious diseases and can subsequently lead to sustainable and profitable aquaculture production. The project will create a consortium of experts that will develop a long-term interactive hub within basic genome biology research.
Objective
Recent developments in genomics have advanced innovation in European aquaculture. However, despite the creation of reference quality genome sequences for the main species, our understanding of genome functions remains limited. AQUA-FAANG will deliver a step improvement in understanding of genome function and exploitation of genotype-to-phenotype prediction in the six most important European farmed fish species. The project brings together world-leading interdisciplinary expertise and industry partners providing direct pathways to commercial exploitation. AQUA-FAANG will functionally annotate the genomes of all six species, employing standardized experimental assays and analysis pipelines defined by the FAANG initiative. AQUA-FAANG datasets will be shared and coordinated with other FAANG initiatives via the FAANG data coordination centre, and made available through the Ensembl genome browser. As infectious disease is of paramount concern for sustainable aquaculture, the project focuses on understanding functional genomic regions in both healthy and immune-challenged fish. This will improve knowledge of the genomic basis for disease resistance and is complemented by novel approaches to increase understanding of immune cell heterogeneity. Standardized comparative analyses will provide essential insights into genome functions that cannot be gained from study of single species. Functional assays will be used to study intermediate phenotypes and prioritise causative genetic variants in trait-associated genomic regions to accelerate selection of disease-resistant stocks. Functionally-enriched marker panels will be developed to improve accuracy of genomic selection. An active programme of stakeholder engagement and dissemination will ensure uptake of project outputs by industry, academia, the public and in policy. The outputs will enhance precision breeding, drive competitiveness within the aquaculture sector, and enhance food and nutrition security in Europe.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
- H2020-EU.3.2. - SOCIETAL CHALLENGES - Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine, maritime and inland water research, and the bioeconomy Main Programme
- H2020-EU.3.2.1.1. - Increasing production efficiency and coping with climate change, while ensuring sustainability and resilience
- H2020-EU.3.2.3.1. - Developing sustainable and environmentally-friendly fisheries
Funding Scheme
RIA - Research and Innovation actionCoordinator
1433 As
Norway
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Participants (23)
EH8 9YL Edinburgh
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69117 Heidelberg
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6708 PB Wageningen
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75007 Paris
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2905 AT Capelle Aan Den Ijssel
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AB24 3FX ABERDEEN
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35122 Padova
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19013 Attikia Anavissos
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15782 Santiago De Compostela
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00 901 Warszawa
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08007 Barcelona
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B15 2TT Birmingham
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SW7 2AZ LONDON
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KY16 9DR St Andrews
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
7462 Trondheim
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
48017 Conselice
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
72015 Fasano
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
27278 Lugo
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15292 A Coruna
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07007 Palma De Mallorca
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27002 Lugo
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
37380 Nouzilly
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The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
190 02 ATHINA
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