Projects

Last modified: 06. July 2023

Our department is currently involved in the following projects:

 

NKFI Alap (NKFI_FK_142933): Surrogate production of genome edited fish

Aquaculture, which represents cultivation of aquatic organisms in controlled aquatic environments for any commercial or public purpose, is currently the fastest-growing agricultural sector in the world. However, as it is in many aspects still in the formative phases, it is facing several important issues, one of them being sustainability. One of the ways of making aquaculture more sustainable is improvement or selection of fish stocks by domestication or genomic selection. As domestication takes a very long time and the application of genome selection is still limited by several technical and economic restraints, genome editing is suggested as a technology which can offer potential solutions. Genome editing in the form of mutation induction similar to the naturally occurring processes can in many ways improve key welfare and economically relevant traits such as disease resistance, growth or sterility. However, the main danger arises from possible escapes of genome modified fish and their mixing with wild populations. To prevent this, fish need to be sterile, however, with the current technology, it is difficult to induce wanted mutations together with sterility. In the current project, we propose an alternative strategy which would entail modifications of spermatogonial stem cells, and their transplantation into recipients of a related species. Production of genome edited fish by such surrogate parents has many technical advantages over the currently used methodology and will minimize or significantly mitigate ecological risk presented by genome editing, thus making this technology safer and more acceptable by the regulatory agencies and the general public.

 

2019-2.1.11-TÉT-2020-00247: Cryopreservation of gametes and larvae of marine bivalvian species of commercial and environmental interest 

The objective of this project is the cryopreservation of gametes and larvae of bivalvian species native to the Mediterranean Sea as well as the Croatian coast of the Adriatic Sea in order to preserve the genetic resources of species with importance for aquaculture production as well as conservation. These species include the European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) which is the only oyster species farmed in Croatia whose populations in the rest of Europe were reduced due to the introduction of the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) which was resistant to various pathogens. The second target species is the Mediterranean scallop (Pecten jacobaeus) which is highly sought on the market and whose aquaculture is restricted to Croatia, albeit in low quantities. The third species is the strictly endangered fan mussel whose populations were reduced by 99% by the parasite Haplosporidium pinnae since the first outbreak in 2016. In the project we combine the scientific knowledge of the Hungarian partner (cryopreservation of gametes and gonadal tissue of aquatic organisms, as well as molecular biology and population genetics) with the professional expertise of the Croatian partner (reproduction and larval rearing of bivalvians). Cryopreservation of gametes and larvae of bivalvian species (primarily oysters) is of interest for scientists and aquaculturists on a European and world level. Cryopreservation is an effective tool in the conservation of genetic resources of both cultured and wild species. In cultured species this methodology allows producers to become independent of the reproduction season while in endangered species it gives hope for the restoration of populations once the outbrean of the infectious disease is over. In addition, the project allows participants to cooperate in applying for funds of the Horizon Europe program and form new collaborative projects.

 

H2020 grant agreement no. 818036: Intelligent Fish feeding through Integration of Enabling technologies and Circular principles (iFishIENCi)

iFishIENCi is an EU Horizon 2020 project bringing together 16 partners in a trans-disciplinary effort aimed at making genuine improvements to aquaculture management and practices. The overall goal of the iFishIENCi project is to provide new intelligent feeding technologies to support ambitious, but sustainable growth for the European aquaculture industry.

NKFI Alap (NKFI_K_ 135824): Fish propagation by using sperm insemination into ovarian lobes

There are difficulties to propagate several economically important or endangered fish species by using tradional method (based on gamete collection). In that case induced spawning/tank  spawning, pen spawning the only way to reproduce them. Ou rnewly developed method, which based on sperm insemination into ovarian by using catheter, allows targeted breeding work, which has so far been limited to induced spawning method. As a result, genetic diversity can be increased - in case of spawning fish, targeted crossings can be performed, insemination can be carried out with qualified or manipulated semen. A further result of the work is that we better understand the physiological features of the infertilized fish and the process of fertilization of the fish (possibly including the initial or complete process of embryogenesis), which provides answer for important evolutionary development.

NKFI Alap (NKFI_K_129127): Inheritance of the cryopreservation properties of fish sperm

Sperm cryopreservation is a world-wide used assisted reproduction method that allows the storage of sperm cells for an infinite period of time. The use of this method is increasing in animal production including aquaculture. However, cryopreservation causes damages to some cells that results in their death. To date we do not know the reasons why some cells survive cryopreservation while others do not. In addition, research results indicated that survival of cryopreservation, resistance to the damages associated with cryopreservation were heritable. In our research, we would like to confirm or refute the aforementioned hypothesis (that resistance to cryopreservation is heritable) and to investigate the changes occurring in cells and subsequently embryos following cryopreservation. Envisioned results will allow selection of individuals with higher survival using methods of classical animal husbandry.

NKFI Alap (NKFI_K_138425): Research towards in vitro gonads in freshwater fish

The objective of the project is the development of artificial gonads (testes, ovaries) in freshwater fish. To this end, germline stem cells of the given species will be studied, cultured and their development into functional sperm and eggs will be induced using a suitable hormonal environment. Artificial gonads will be developed both in two-dimensional culture (involving one or two layers of cells) as well as in a multilayered three-dimensional culture. Developed artificial gonads have the potential of application in numerous fields. In toxicological tests they can replace living organisms. They can help in the induced spawning of fish species that produce low volumes of sperm and eggs. Finally as a long-term solution, they can help to completely or partially replace broodstocks in fish hatcheries (stocks held for the production of sperm and eggs) reducing associated costs, assist in the off-season spawning of species that have a seasonal pattern of reproduction and reduce the pressure on natural stocks of the given species.