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Introduction to aquaculture and the importance of pathogen detection

Explore the issue of aquaculture expansion and onset of infectious diseases. Watch the video to learn more.

In this video, Prof Lee, Po Tsang will introduce the concept of aquaculture and its importance to humans. It is crucial to identify the cause of diseases in fish, shrimp, and other shellfish, as they may be infected by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, or parasites present in the water.

Advanced biotechnology, particularly molecular technology, has made it possible to detect the presence of nucleic acids, such as DNA, RNA, and protein from pathogens, which is a powerful tool not only in the field of aquaculture but also in other animal agriculture industries and hospitals for human diseases. The presenter will explore how to perform nucleic acid extraction for the detection of aquatic pathogens.

However, the expansion and intensification of aquaculture have led to local environmental degradation and the onset of infectious and non-infectious diseases. A better understanding of the interactions between hosts, pathogens, and environmental conditions is necessary to control diseases in aquaculture.

Review questions:

  • What is the contribution of aquaculture to the global production of aquatic animals compared to capture fisheries?
  • What is the most important farmed shrimp species worldwide?
  • What are some factors that restrict the development of the aquaculture industry?
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Molecular Biology: How to Detect Pathogens in Aquaculture

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