May 17, 2023

Danish research explores combating aquaculture diseases with bacteriophages

A new research project will use bacteria's natural enemies, bacteriophages, to control bacterial diseases in aquaculture.

The Innovation Fund has invested kr.13.5 million (US$2.6 million) in the project.

In a project coordinated by Professor Mathias Middelboe from the Department of Biology at the University of Copenhagen, researchers from two universities in Denmark are collaborating with aquaculture and biotech companies in Denmark, England and Scotland to develop a new environmentally friendly technology for the treatment of bacterial diseases in trout farming. The starting point for the project is to employ bacteriophages against pathogenic bacteria in aquaculture.

"Our research into bacteriophage-based control of fish diseases has shown promising results in recent years," said Professor Mathias Middelboe. "…now, the Innovation Fund – together with Carus Animal Health and a number of other Danish and British companies – have invested just over kr.20 million in taking the next step in the development of antimicrobial products that can reduce disease outbreaks in trout rearing."

The goal of the project is that its results can contribute to phasing out the use of antibiotics in the aquaculture industry and contribute to a sustainable development and restructuring of the sector.

The project is a collaboration between the University of Copenhagen, the Technical University of Denmark, the Danish Technological Institute, DanAqua, KSK Aqua, Aller Aqua, Carus Animal Health and Fixed Phage and will run for three years.

- Carus Animal Health