Patología molecular acuática

The fundamental scientific objective of the Marine Molecular Pathobiology group is to apply molecular and cellular approaches to basic studies of fish and shellfish early development and disease as well as the application of basic science to improve yields, performance and sustainability of global marine aquaculture.
Our research proposal integrates tools of molecular biology to: isolate and identify the causative agents in infectious and non-infectious disease, understand the role of differential gene expression in disease aetiology and provide more individualised approaches to management.
Therefore, the Marine Molecular Pathobiology Goup seeks to transfer expertise, technology and information from the fields in which heavy investments in basic research have been made (genomics, epigenomics) allowing its cost-effective use in applied research.

Members

Camino Gestal research interests

Dr. Gestal’s research interests focus on studies involving shellfish (mainly cephalopod and bivalve molluscs) infections by pathogens (mainly protozoan parasites) responsible for important economic looses among fisheries and aquaculture industries. Specifically she is particularly interested in the pathological, epidemiological and immunological aspects of this parasitosis. Her current research and activity is focused on two complementary areas: the molecular identification, phylogeny, taxonomy and life-cycle of these parasites; and the analysis of cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the host-pathogen and host-pathogen-external environment interactions (the effect of stressors such as contaminants in the host-pathogen system). Dr. Gestal analyzes the differential gene expression pattern in infected and non infected hosts in order to understand the role of different key genes in disease aetiology and provide more individualised approaches to management.
In addition she is interested in the ontogeny of the early developmental stages of cephalopods and basic research on the defense mechanisms and the expression level of genes involved in the paralarvae survival during the early stages of life.
The main research aim is to contribute to the improvement of aquacultured marine shellfish sanitary status by generating the necessary knowledge for management and control of diseases by a better understanding of the host-pathogen interaction mechanisms, and the establishment of immunostimulation and identification of biomarker genes as strategies to enhance pathogen resistance and welfare of aquacultured shellfish.


Josep Rotllant research interests

Dr. Rotllants’ research interests focus on the study of processes related to current issues affecting the stable production of high quality larvae of commercially important fish species. His current research interests and activities are concentrated on two complementary areas: fish welfare and morphological malformations (pigment patterns, bone and muscle anomalies). Currently, he is particularly interested in the cellular and molecular mechanisms controlling the differentiation of muscle, bone and pigment cells during embryogenesis. Dr. Rotllant utilises zebrafish as a model system to investigate the role of different key regulatory genes in the normal and abnormal musculoskeletal and integumentary system development. Therefore, the main research aim is the application of recombinant DNA, gene transfer and epigenetics (DNA Methylation) technology to help reduce the high prevalence of morphological malformations in farmed fish species.
His research also examines the possible link between suboptimal welfare conditions and a high prevalence of morphological malformations. The experimental approach integrates several novel techniques including whole animal physiological studies, primary cell culture models, DNA transfer technology, recombinant DNA technology, morpholino antisense technology and epigenetics technology (DNA Methylation).
The expected results from our research proposal will not only provide information relevant to the design of new strategies for intensive fish culture, but will also provide basic knowledge for the advancement of development biology (i.e. vertebrate musculo-skeletal and integumentary system development).