TargetFish (Targeted disease prophylaxis in European fish farming) is a large collaborative project funded by the European Commission (FP7). It has brought together leading European research groups that are experts on the fish Immune system and enterprises from the biotech and veterinary sectors that aim to commercialize fish vaccines for European fish farming. The goal of the collaboration is to advance the development of existing sub-optimal and novel prototype vaccines against socio-economically important viral and bacterial pathogens of Atlantic salmon, Rainbow trout, Common carp, Sea bass, Sea bream and Turbot. By developing these targeted vaccination strategies, Targetfish will prevent economically relevant fish diseases in the European aquaculture industry.
The main objectives of the project are:
To generate a knowledge and technology-base for rational development of next generation fish vaccines by studying antigens and adjuvants for mucosal routes of administration
To validate knowledge of immune responses for monitoring vaccine efficacy and safety, including issues associated with DNA vaccines
To approach implementation of prototype vaccines by optimizing vaccination strategies, thus shortening the route to exploitation.
The project based at Aberdeen will study:
The potential of fish cytokines as adjuvants in vaccine development
The protective mechanisms of vaccination in salmonids
In vitro bioassays for monitoring cellular immunity
Correlation of cellular immunity with protection by vaccination
