© Esox Biologics
Esox Biologics, the University of Glasgow and the Becky Mayer Centre for Phage Research at the University of Leicester have joined forces after winning the Farmed Animal and Aquaculture SPARK Award from Innovate UK. The project aims to address a critical challenge faced by the domestic shellfish industry: the loss of juvenile stock to harmful bacteria. With the efficacy of antibiotics waning and regulatory controls tightening, hatcheries require new, environmentally friendly tools to manage disease.
The partnership is focusing on the use of phages – naturally occurring viruses that infect and kill specific species of bacteria, while leaving surrounding microorganisms untouched. This targeted approach is considered well suited to sensitive shellfish hatchery systems.
The consortium brings together industry leaders in metagenomics, microbiology and phage biology. Esox Biologics will use its metagenomic sequencing platform, Detect, to identify and genetically characterise the bacterial and phage communities present within shellfish hatcheries in the UK. Simultaneously, a team of researchers at the University of Glasgow, led by professor Martin Llewellyn, will operate controlled trials using larvae generated by their new state-of-the-art hatchery facility on the Isle of Cumbrae.
Further technical support comes from the University of Leicester, where professor Martha R. J. Clokie will lead the isolation of specific phage species. Additionally, the Association of Scottish Shellfish Growers, led by chief executive officer Nick Lake, will provide access to samples from commercial shellfish sites in Scotland.
“Improving shellfish larval survival would unlock substantial growth and reverse recent declines in UK shellfish production, representing a major commercial opportunity for the UK shellfish industry and benefit to British consumers by increasing the availability of sustainable seafoods,” said professor Llewellyn in a press release.
This project is about providing shellfish hatcheries with a practical, sustainable tool that helps improve larval survival rates and allows the UK shellfish aquaculture industry to grow. You can learn more about this collaboration on Esox Biologics’ website.
