Precision Fish Breeding

Make full use of a variety of genetic resources to help people achieve the goal of enhancing the production efficiency and profitability of aquaculture. The ultimate goal of genomics, epigenetics, and precision breeding research in fish is to enhance aquaculture production efficiency, sustainability, product quality, and profitability to facilitate commercialization and benefit consumers. BioVenic is proficient in gene editing and breeding program design for fish to achieve its goals. The company provides research and analysis of phenotype-related gene targets and actively promotes research in genetics, molecular biology, and precision breeding in aquaculture.

Fig.1 Flow Chart of Gene Editing in Fish. ¹

Fish CRISPR Joint Bioinformatic Technology Platform

BioVenic has introduced genome-wide CRISPR knockout methods for scientific research projects aiming to screen for new functional information in fish. We generate guide RNA (gRNA) libraries to target each gene in the organism for editing. We then utilize gene editing techniques and statistical analysis to investigate the role of the target gene in the phenotype under study, as well as the functions of other potential genes in the organism. The customized service for constructing CRISPR/Cas9 high-throughput libraries that infect single cells supports customers in genome-wide screening of phenotypes or disease targets of interest. It promotes the integration of large-scale genetic screens and provides information on the biological basis of disease resistance.

Precision Breeding in Aquatic Species

The emergence of CRISPR/Cas technology has accelerated the genome editing of aquaculture species. The editing system is simple, efficient, with a low off-target tendency, and capable of producing long fragment deletions. With the assistance of gene editing tools, researchers have conducted multidirectional gene function and precision breeding research on various major aquaculture species. Through in-depth exploration of the growth, disease resistance, reproduction, sterility, and coloration patterns of fish, we can understand the scientific foundation for genetic enhancement and precision breeding.

• Growth
  Growth efficiency is the most common goal for precision breeding and genetic improvement in fish projects. Technological tools such as transgenics and genome editing are utilized to investigate factors influencing economic traits like growth rate, growth status, and feed utilization by targeting genes associated with phenotypes. At the same time, increasing per capita productivity by preventing cannibalism is also a unique solution in the precision fish breeding strategy. Enhancing the future sustainability of aquaculture by boosting productivity through genome editing.
• Fish Oil Production
  Fish oil is a beneficial fatty acid for human health and serves as a dietary supplement to meet nutritional requirements. Gene-level genetic modification tools, combined with sequencing technology, allow researchers to gradually unravel the pathways of fish oil production and fish fatty acid metabolism.
• Disease Resistance
  Disease resistance is another crucial economic trait in aquaculture and commercial production. Genetic enhancement of disease resistance continues to be a top priority in breeding programs. Precision breeding has been studied to enhance immunity and resistance to common diseases in fish. At the same time, genome-level modification and manipulation support the exploration of the principles of pathogenic mechanisms and uncover the genetic codes behind complex metabolic pathways and corresponding phenotypes.
• Sterility and Reproductive Confinement
  The escape of non-native fish from aquaculture facilities can have unpredictable environmental, ecological, and genetic impacts. Creating sterile aquatic animals through precision breeding reduces risks and prevents genetic introgression from wild populations. This process protects genetic integrity and helps avoid the negative production consequences of premature maturation. Sequencing, transgenic, and gene-editing technologies have significantly advanced our understanding of the steroidogenic pathway, hormonal regulation, and the molecular mechanisms of sex determination and differentiation in fish.

Why Choose Us?

BioVenic offers genetic-level analysis and transformation, along with precision breeding research, to comprehend the genome structure, genomic and phenotypic variation of aquaculture species, and the genetic basis of traits and their interrelationships. We are committed to filling the biological gaps in the regulation and evolutionarily conserved mechanisms of fish at the systems biology level with the assistance of a comprehensive technology platform. We collaborate with scientific researchers worldwide to utilize genomic information and the relationship between genomes and phenotypes for the precise transformation of fish using transgenic and genome editing technologies. Contact us to easily overcome technical barriers in genomics, genetics, and breeding.

References

1. Roy, Suvra, et al. "CRISPR/Cas genome editing—can it become a game changer in future fisheries sector?." Frontiers in Marine Science 9 (2022): 924475.
2. Aquaculture Genomics, Genetics and Breeding Workshop, et al. "Aquaculture genomics, genetics and breeding in the United States: current status, challenges, and priorities for future research." BMC genomics 18 (2017): 1-23.