April 6, 2022

Norwegian universities researching vaccines for aquaculture salmon

The University of Tromso at Ingvill Jensen and the Norwegian University of Life Sciences at Espen Rimstad will commence research into developing vaccines against salmon viruses for the aquaculture industry, Fish Information & Services reported.

The research is funded by Norway's Fishery and Aquaculture Industry Research Fund to look into preventive biological methods against infectious or parasitic diseases on salmon and rainbow trout, as well as improve aquaculture biosecurity for the sector.

A new vaccine for salmon will improve fish welfare and ensure operations are cost-effective.

The University of Tromso will perform research to improve current salmon virus vaccines by generating a new generation of DNA vaccines and adjuvants for multiple diseases. DNA vaccines are potential prospects for the prevention of viral infections in farmed salmon, allowing vaccinations against viruses that cannot be generated in cell culture to be developed.

This will result in a vaccine against several viruses and adjuvants.

One example is infectious salmon anemia (ISA). Major restrictions are imposed on aquaculture facilities with ISA outbreaks. A vaccine against ISA will reduce losses from the disease and stop the spread to other aquaculture plants.

The project by the University of Tromso will ultimately develop an effective mRNA vaccine against ISA and develop a general mRNA vaccine technology pipeline for use in fish. Current ISA vaccines do not prevent infection or secretion of the virus. This new vaccine will protect the vaccinated population in a cage and prevent the spread of viruses.

-      Fish Information & Services