Sea lice infections
of salmon populations can threaten
this important economic and environmental
resource in British Columbia.
Two types of louse can infect salmon
and other species (Lepeophtheirus
salmonis and Caligus spp.)
and have the capacity to cause significant
salmon mortality, particularly in
young fish. The factors that influence
louse infection can depend upon environmental
or individual genetic variables that
are important to understand in order
to develop therapeutic strategies.
Identification of genetic markers
in lice will enable the examination
of population characteristics including
migration patterns, origins, and selection
that will in turn provide information
about the genetic factors that influence
the host-pathogen response.
The researchers will also address
the controversy surrounding the impact
of salmon fish farms on wild salmon
population.
The team of researchers will use microarray
technology to examine gene expression
patterns of both salmon and louse
to identify which genes undergo significant
changes in expression during infection.
New salmonid genomic resources have
just been developed through current
Genome BC studies but microarrays
for louse species must be developed.
The team will identify common
genetic elements required for infection
that could provide potential therapeutic
targets that affect both species of
louse. The analysis of gene
expression patterns in both host and
pathogen will provide important insight
into the host-pathogen interaction
including the identification of resistant
strains of salmon and more virulent
strains of louse. This genomic
strategy can also be employed to investigate
the environmental variables that influence
infection in order to potentially
limit infection in farmed salmon populations.
This research will not only benefit
agencies that regulate salmon fishing,
but will also improve scientific communication
and understanding of the sea lice/salmon
controversy.
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