Illumina
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Ann Nyambura
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Illumina's Impact on Sustainable Aquaculture
Illumina is playing a pivotal role in advancing global food sustainability through its cutting-edge genomic technologies. As the world faces the challenge of feeding a projected population exceeding 9 billion by 2040, organizations like WorldFish and the Earlham Institute are leveraging genomics to enhance aquaculture, particularly focusing on improving tilapia farming. This approach aims to address issues of hunger and malnutrition in developing regions, highlighting the importance of sustainable practices in aquaculture to meet future food demands.

WorldFish has made significant strides with its genetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT), a selectively bred strain introduced in 1988. GIFT grows twice as fast as its wild counterparts, providing farmers the opportunity to produce more fish in shorter seasons. This is especially crucial for small-scale farmers in sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and South Asia, where tilapia serves as an essential source of protein and nutrients. The organization ensures that GIFT’s germplasm is accessible to responsible researchers and governments, making it a vital part of global tilapia production, which accounts for half of the total supply.

The work of WorldFish is complemented by the Earlham Institute, which focuses on identifying key genetic markers that can enhance desirable traits in tilapia, such as disease resistance and adaptability to changing environments. The institute’s research team utilizes the Illumina NovaSeq X Plus System to analyze DNA samples collected from tilapia, enabling them to identify specific genes linked to improved performance. This innovative approach allows for faster and more accurate breeding decisions, avoiding the need for harmful practices that expose fish to diseases.

Illumina’s NovaSeq X Series technology is particularly noteworthy for its ability to generate high-quality genomic data quickly and sustainably. The Earlham Institute has reported impressive turnaround times, returning results to WorldFish within five days under optimal conditions. This rapid response is crucial for informing breeding programs and ensuring that farmers have access to the best possible stock. Additionally, the NovaSeq X Series utilizes sustainable reagents, showcasing Illumina’s commitment to reducing waste and environmental impact while supporting research initiatives.

By enabling organizations like WorldFish and the Earlham Institute to harness the power of genomics, Illumina is directly contributing to food security and biodiversity. As environmental challenges and diseases threaten global aquaculture, the ability to quickly generate and apply genomic data becomes increasingly vital. With Illumina’s innovations, the future of sustainable aquaculture looks promising, providing the tools necessary to improve food production and support the nutritional needs of a growing global population.

Video: Give someone a fish, you feed them—unlock the fish genome, you feed the world
WorldFish and the Earlham Institute are using genomics to improve tilapia for the sake of global food sustainability
https://www.illumina.com/company/news-center/feature-articles/Earlham-Institute-WorldFish.html


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2 w
By harnessing the power of genomics, Illumina is driving innovations that can help address some of the world’s most pressing challenges, from food security to climate resilience.
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5 w
By enabling more efficient breeding and disease resistance, it will contribute to the long-term sustainability of aquaculture and help to meet the growing global demand for seafood.
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5 w
Illumina's technology has the potential to greatly enhance sustainable aquaculture by providing in-depth genetic insights that can lead to healthier, more resilient fish stocks and improved breeding practices.
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5 w
These genomic technologies not only improve growth rates and disease resistance in fish but also support sustainable farming practices, which are essential for reducing hunger and malnutrition in developing regions.
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5 w
Such advancement in aquaculture is highly recommendable
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5 w
Great to see Illumina making strides in sustainable aquaculture!
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5 w
This is great.. dealing with the issue of food security as food is a basic need and very important aspect in ensuring survival.
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5 w
Wow .These are the kind of advancements that we need inorder to deal with pollution and also the issue of hunger.