ARS | Publication request: Microbial Genomics of Aquaculture Pathogens

Submitted to: Current Status of Molecular Techniques in Aquaculture
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: March 21, 2009
Publication Date: September 22, 2009
Citation: Wiens, G.D. 2009. Microbial Genomics of Aquaculture Pathogens. In: Overturf, K., editor. Current Status of Molecular Techniques in Aquaculture. Hobolen, NJ: Wiley, John & Sons, Inc. p. 315-335.

Technical Abstract: Infectious diseases cause substantial economic loss in aquaculture and are a factor limiting production of many species. Given increasing seafood demand worldwide, there is an escalating need for research to identify solutions to fish health problems. With the advent of pathogen and host-genome sequencing projects, a large amount of new information is now available facilitating rapid progress in fish health research. We have identified twenty-six current or completed genome sequencing projects of bacterial and eukaryal fish pathogens. Herein, we review technical and theoretical aspects of bacterial genomics and how this information can be integrated to help identify virulence factors, increase vaccine development throughput, and aid in family-based selective breeding programs. Successful integration of this information is necessary to make progress toward improving fish health in aquaculture.