FVS- 922: Vaccination in fishes - Practical applications for successful disease control and future challenges

More about this event

Presentation Synopsis:

Since the first fish vaccine was licensed in the 1970s in the U.S., vaccination has become an essential component of the successful expansion of the aquaculture industry. This lecture will summarise the importance and practical applications of vaccination as a prophylactic tool in the prevention and control of bacterial and viral diseases afflicting established (salmonid) and expanding (e.g. sea bass, sea bream, catfish) fish markets. However, future challenges face vaccination against some complex/difficult pathogens, which require enhanced understanding of fish systemic and mucosal immunity. Innovative vaccination approaches in the era of ‘omics’ technologies are providing new ways to improve vaccine efficacy and application for effective oral immunisation and production of parasite vaccines.

Presentation Learning Objectives:

1. Develop an understanding of different vaccine types and platforms and their benefits/disadvantages
2. Develop an understanding of different vaccination administration routes and methods for cultured fish
3. Become familiar with the challenges of developing vaccines against complex pathogens and parasites

Speaker Bio:

After completing a BSc. (Hons) in Biology at Keele university in 2005 Sean undertook a MSc. degree in Aquatic Pathobiology at the University of Stirling, Institute of Aquaculture (IoA) in 2007. He developed an interest in prophylactic disease control in aquaculture and completed a PhD in 2013, also at IoA, developing marker vaccination approaches for fish. As a post-doc Sean worked on Innovate UK, BBSRC and SAIC funded projects on development of vaccines for other viral (e.g. SAV), bacterial (e.g. Aeromonas spp., Vibrio spp.) and parasitic (sea lice) diseases afflicting Atlantic salmon, of which sea lice remains arguably the most challenging yet significant. Sean’s core research has involved the use of proteomics, histological and molecular tools for characterisation of host-pathogen interactions, and immunological tools for advancing understanding of fish mucosal immunity. He has published >30 peer reviewed papers on host-pathogen interactions, disease control and vaccination in a range of fish species including tilapia (Francisella), grouper (Vibrio alginolyticus), carp (KHV), trout (Argulus, Aeromonas salmonicida, Vibrio spp.), cleaner fish (A. salmonicida) and Atlantic salmon. Over the last 9 years Sean has adopted diverse vaccination strategies to deal with the diversity of disease challenges from whole-cell inactivated vaccination (for bacteria) to recombinant protein technologies (sea lice), which has provided the foundation for advancing applied biotechnology for innovative fish vaccinology. Sean currently leads two SAIC funded projects developing oral vaccination strategies for sea lice, and optimising vaccine regimes for ballan wrasse in collaboration with industry partners (BioMar, SiSaf, Tethys Aquaculture, Mowi, Otter Ferry Sea Fish, Ridgeway), and academic/research institutions (Moredun research Institute, University of Maine). Since 2015 Sean has been a council board member of the European Association of Fish Pathologists (EAFP) and has recently been appointed (2020) on the working group of the BBSRC International Veterinary Vaccinology Network (IVVN).