Like for other vertebrates, the fish microbiome is critical to the health of its host and has complex and dynamic interactions with the surrounding environment. Thus, the study of the fish microbiome can benefit from the new prospects gained by innovative biotechnological applications in human and other animals, that include manipulation of the associated microbial communities (to improve the health, productivity, and sustainability of fish production), in vitro gut simulators, synthetic microbial communities, and others. Here, we summarize the current state of knowledge on such biotechnological approaches to better understand and engineer the fish microbiome, as well as to advance our knowledge on host-microbes interactions. A particular focus is given to the most recent strategies for fish microbiome manipulation to improve fish health, food safety and environmental sustainability.
2022 -
Journal article
Current opinion in biotechnology 73 (2022): 121–127. doi:10.1016/j.copbio.2021.07.018
Keywords:
biotechnological approaches, fish microbiome
The research activities of the Institute are carried out in the context of research, development and innovation projects, both national and international, based on regional funding programs (POR FEAMPA - Regional Operational Program of the European Maritime Affairs Fisheries Fund and Aquaculture and POR FESR - Regional Operational Program of the European Regional Development Fund) or ministerial (PRIN - Projects of relevant national interest, PNRA - National Research Program in Antarctica, PO FEAMPA - National Operational Program European Maritime Affairs Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund) , programs for European Territorial Cooperation (Interreg), direct funding programs of the European Commission (Horizon2020 and Horizon Europe, Life, JPI - Joint Programming Initiatives, ERA-NET Cofund) and thematic collaboration initiatives managed by international organizations such as, for example , the FAO - GFCM (General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean). The Institute also develops funded projects in the context of collaborations with private companies in the sectors of the blue economy as well as technology transfer and research results. Research projects, mainly of a collaborative nature, are developed through a wide network of partners that include major Italian and foreign research institutions and universities.
