Genomic advancements aim to scale aquaculture through shrimp and salmon biotechnology

New biotechnological approaches are being developed to enhance efficiency and scalability in the global aquaculture industry, specifically targeting shrimp and salmon production.

In shrimp farming, high-density genotyping platforms, such as the 60K SNP panel for Litopenaeus vannamei, are reaching commercial maturity. These tools allow for precise genomic selection and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to improve traits like disease resistance, product quality, and performance in diverse environments.

For Atlantic salmon, researchers from The Roslin Institute, the Institute of Marine Research in Norway, and Benchmark Genetics Norway AS are proposing a shift toward in vitro germline stem cell (GSC) editing. Current CRISPR applications require manual microinjections into individual eggs, a process that is costly, difficult to scale, and often results in genetic mosaicism. The proposed method involves editing stem cells in a laboratory setting and transplanting them into sterile breeders. This strategy aims to produce uniform gametes in a single generation, potentially overcoming the multi-year delays currently required to stabilize edited lines.