Biotechnology

Biotechnology Conference
FAO Global Agrifood Biotechnologies Conference

Biotechnologies for a Sustainable Future: Driving Agrifood Systems Transformation

Programme
16 - 18 june 2025, FAO, Rome

Fish breeding, diagnostic tools and vaccines for aquatic animals

  Tuesday 17 June
  11.00 - 12.30
  Red Room

This technical session will provide a forum for the speakers and participants to highlight a brief overview of the main areas where biotechnologies are currently been applied in the fisheries and aquaculture. This will explore key issues for the future where biotechnologies could be useful. In addition, the discussions will contribute to identify a set of priorities for action for the international community fostering global collaboration by connecting policy-makers, scientists, civil society organizations, private sector, and other relevant stakeholders.

  • Genome engineering in aquaculture: from genetic modification (GM) to gene editing (GE)
    Mr Agus Sunarto Senior Research Scientist Team Leader - Aquaculture Biotechnology Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) Agriculture and Food, Australia
  • Aquatic animal health research: prevention, diagnoses, and control of infectious diseases in farmed fish, crustaceans and molluscs
    Ms Athina Papadopoulou Senior Research Microbiologist / Focal Point of FAO Reference Centre for Aquaculture Biosecurity and AMR Center for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) United Kingdom
  • Application of biotechnologies in rapid diagnosis and vaccine development in aquaculture
    Mr Iddya Karunasagar Senior Researcher / Focal Point of FAO Reference Centre for Aquaculture Biosecurity and AMR  Nitte University India
  • Feed in aquaculture products: challenges for a diet in carnivorous animals
    Mr Alberto Lopez-Asenjo Garcia Senior Advisor at the Spanish Institute of Oceanography IEO-CSIC Former Secretary General of Fisheries of the Spanish Government (On-line)
  • Innovative technologies on alternatives to antimicrobials for better aquatic animal health management
    Mr Eduardo Leaño Director General, Senior Programme Officer: Health and Biosecurity Programme, Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA), Bangkok
    Thailand 
  • Use of genetic selection and genomics to develop disease-resistant and fast-growing tilapia strains for sustainable tilapia industry
    Mr Rajesh Joshi Senior Researcher, GenoMar Genetics AS Norway (On-line)
  • Comparative genomics of aquatic bacterial pathogens for disease etiology investigation, diagnostics, and vaccine development
    Mr Mark Lawrence Professor / Director of FAO Reference Centre for Aquaculture Biosecurity and AMR, Mississippi State University (MSU) United States of America (On-line)