Aquaculture Biotechnology | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Aquaculture Biotechnology

Using innovative technology to develop sustainable aquaculture

Fish Gonads
Pearls
Fish Gonads

This theme is focused on the development and application of innovative technologies that enhance the sustainable aquaculture of target species.

Members utilise a broad range of molecular approaches that together expand our knowledge from the cell to organism level, and from the laboratory to the farm. 

The breadth of research spans selective breeding and restocking programs that are informed by genetics and the application of genomics to manipulate species physiology (e.g. sex, metamorphosis, reproductive maturation, growth, flesh quality) of cultured fish, molluscs, crustaceans and echinoderms.

Collaborations

Theme members have close and long-term engagements with aquaculture industries that have led to advancements in capabilities and productivity. This includes the ARC lobster hub, salmon, kingfish, edible and pearl oyster industries.

We network with national and international research groups in the areas of aquaculture biotechnology, genetics, genomics and synthetic biology.

We actively promote collaborations in areas of mutual interest including microbiome analysis and bioprospecting of natural compounds through targeted and non-targeted metabolomics and proteomics.

Research students

Our research is supported by students, both undergraduate and graduate, who are trained in state-of-the-art biotechnology approaches that promotes critical thinking and development of their own research skills.

Key researchers and research areas

Dr Nguyen Nguyen
Dr Nguyen Hong Nguyen
  • Genetics and genomics
  • Biology of aquatic animal species
  • DNA markers, gene mapping and gene function
  • Population and Evolutionary Genetics/Genomics
  • Genetic epidemiology and disease resistance of aquaculture species
  • Beyond the genome: Cytoplasmic inheritance, including epigenetics
  • Applied statistics and bioinformatics to genetic improvement
Tomer Ventura
Dr Tomer Ventura
  • Aquaculture biotechnology
  • Comparative endocrinology
  • Sexual determination and differentiation
  • Development and metamorphosis
Scott Cummins
Professor Scott Cummins
  • Molecular neuroethology
  • Protein pheromones
  • Neuropeptides
  • Functional genomics
  • Invertebrate biology
  • Invasive species
Professor Abigail Elizur
Professor Abigail Elizur
  • Reproductive biology of aquaculture species
  • Genomics and genetics
  • Surrogate technology in fish
  • Identification of genes associated with high valve commercial traits in aquaculture species