Genomic insights for disease resistance improvement in aquaculture species

Abstract

Critical high rates of mortality caused by the dynamic nature of aquatic pathogens have made the traditional control methods ineffective, thus presenting an alarming issue in the quest to ensure the long-term sustainability of the sector. The establishment of long-lasting food security programs prompts the need to transition to eco-friendly technologies like genetic resistance achieved through the deployment of genetic research findings. This article offers an extensive framework with a primary emphasis on economically significant teleost fish and crustacean species to ensure the implementation of high-throughput technologies like Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) as well as Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) through the application of contemporary breeding programs like Genomic Selection (GS). The capability of the burgeoning genome editing tool like the application of the CRISPR-Cas9 system is similarly offered alongside the limitations of the tool in the quest to efficiently develop resistant stocks while addressing the requirements of economic feasibility, biosafety, as well as the principles of genetics. By synthesizing these advanced molecular tools, this review provides a strategic roadmap for enhancing disease resistance, thereby ensuring the industrial resilience of global aquaculture.