Aquaculture is the fastest growing food production sector in the world. High fish densities in aquaculture encourage the occurrence and spread of diseases. Early detection of potential pathogens is essential in order to avoid economic losses.
With this innovation project funded by Innosuisse, we want to establish an on-site solution for the detection of bacterial pathogens such as Aeromonas salmonicida, Flavobacterium columnare and Flavobacterium psychrophilum. We are researching an application for which neither molecular knowledge nor cost-intensive laboratory equipment is required, analogous to the corona rapid test. Each pathogen has its specific DNA - that's enough to get a quick response on site.
Such a rapid test addresses the need in aquaculture for an early and specific detection of pathogens and for fast, evidence-based decision-making on site. This would not replace the previous case assessment by veterinarians, but supplement it.
Contact: Dr. Karen Bussmann; Eliane Jemmi; Prof. Dr. Irene Adrian-Kalchhauser
