Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** aquaculture, farming fish and other…

Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** aquaculture, farming fish and other aquatic organisms, is expected to provide over 50% of the world's fish consumption by 2030. However, one of the biggest challenges the aquaculture industry faces is the spread of infectious diseases, which can cause significant losses in fish populations and affect the overall productivity and profitability of fish farms. One such disease, lactococcosis, caused by the bacteria lactococcus species, poses a serious threat to trout farming in the united states. This disease leads to high mortality rates in fish, causing economic hardships for farmers and potentially impacting human health. Currently, no licensed vaccines are available in the US to protect fish from this disease, making IT critical to find effective solutions to safeguard the aquaculture industry. This project addresses this urgent need by developing a novel diatom-based oral vaccine to protect fish against lactococcosis. Diatoms are microalgae naturally consumed by fish and can be genetically engineered to produce vaccine proteins. These diatoms are incorporated into fish feed, making vaccination a simple and cost-effective process. The project's approach involves expressing antigen-adjuvant fusion proteins in diatoms, which, when FED to fish, stimulate their immune system to provide protection against the disease. This method is easier to administer than traditional injection-based vaccines and reduces stress and potential side effects in fish, ensuring better health and growth performance. The ultimate goal of this project is to develop an efficient, affordable, and user-friendly vaccine that can be widely adopted by the aquaculture industry to prevent disease outbreaks. By achieving this, the project aims to enhance food security, support the economic sustainability of fish farms, and contribute to the overall health of aquatic ecosystems. The successful implementation of this vaccine can revolutionize fish health management, reduce the reliance on antibiotics, and help meet the growing global demand for sustainable and nutritious seafood. The societal benefits include increased food production, improved livelihoods for fish farmers, and a healthier environment, aligning with broader goals of agricultural resilience and community well-being.