7 Genomic Approaches in Aquaculture and Fisheries
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in protein abundance in the livers of fish fed diets containing protein from vegetable sources suggest that these fish have higher energy demands than fish fed fish
meal-based diets.
7.4.5 Conclusions and Future Directions
Transcriptomic and proteomic approaches are now being implemented in growth
and nutritional studies in fish. Although only now beginning, application of these
technologies to aquaculture and fisheries in the very near future will reside (1) in
the identification of genes for marker-assisted selection programs designed to select
fish with desired growth rates and nutritional characteristics, (2) in diagnostic of
the growth and nutritional status of fish and (3) in assisting on the formulation
of new and less-environmentally impacting fish diets. Despite the overall positive
trend, published microarray analyses have to date yielded data in the form of, or
focused only on, a small number of genes. This is due, in part, to the particular
characteristics of available microarray platforms, but also to limitations regarding
the supporting bioinformatic analysis. Therefore, most studies have not performed
gene expression analyses beyond the single gene level. In order to fully exploit
the power of the transcriptomic approach, future genomic studies in aquaculture
and fisheries should proceed with an in-depth statistical analysis of functional categories and, most importantly, with a meta-analysis of a large number of microarray
experiments on a variety of different conditions or treatments. It is with this type of
meta-analysis that true molecular signatures of a given process can be identified and
used successfully to describe the physiological status of fish. Finally, strong emphasis should also be placed on extending transcriptomic, as well as proteomic, studies
to non-salmonid species.
7.5 Genomic Approaches in Product Quality and Safety
Over recent decades, the strong trend towards healthier eating habits has resulted
in a promotion of the consumption of seafood products, since fish and shellfish are
identified as an excellent source of important nutrients, including proteins (high
biological value, easy digestible), vitamins (A, D and B12), trace minerals (selenium, iodine) and fatty acids (long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA
or omega-3 fatty acids) in which eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA (C20:5 n-3) and
docosahexaenoic acid, DHA (C22:6 n-3) predominate). All these characteristics,
but mainly a higher intake of n-3 PUFA, have been associated with an essential role
in protection against a number of diseases such as cardio-vascular risk, diabetes type
2 or neurodegenerative disorders (Bourre 2005, Calder 2008).
Fish and shellfish demand will continue to grow, in part due to population
growth but also because demand is stimulated by economic growth, particularly
in societies where consumption per person is low to moderate. In 2020, per capita
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in protein abundance in the livers of fish fed diets containing protein from vegetable sources suggest that these fish have higher energy demands than fish fed fish
meal-based diets.
7.4.5 Conclusions and Future Directions
Transcriptomic and proteomic approaches are now being implemented in growth
and nutritional studies in fish. Although only now beginning, application of these
technologies to aquaculture and fisheries in the very near future will reside (1) in
the identification of genes for marker-assisted selection programs designed to select
fish with desired growth rates and nutritional characteristics, (2) in diagnostic of
the growth and nutritional status of fish and (3) in assisting on the formulation
of new and less-environmentally impacting fish diets. Despite the overall positive
trend, published microarray analyses have to date yielded data in the form of, or
focused only on, a small number of genes. This is due, in part, to the particular
characteristics of available microarray platforms, but also to limitations regarding
the supporting bioinformatic analysis. Therefore, most studies have not performed
gene expression analyses beyond the single gene level. In order to fully exploit
the power of the transcriptomic approach, future genomic studies in aquaculture
and fisheries should proceed with an in-depth statistical analysis of functional categories and, most importantly, with a meta-analysis of a large number of microarray
experiments on a variety of different conditions or treatments. It is with this type of
meta-analysis that true molecular signatures of a given process can be identified and
used successfully to describe the physiological status of fish. Finally, strong emphasis should also be placed on extending transcriptomic, as well as proteomic, studies
to non-salmonid species.
7.5 Genomic Approaches in Product Quality and Safety
Over recent decades, the strong trend towards healthier eating habits has resulted
in a promotion of the consumption of seafood products, since fish and shellfish are
identified as an excellent source of important nutrients, including proteins (high
biological value, easy digestible), vitamins (A, D and B12), trace minerals (selenium, iodine) and fatty acids (long chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA
or omega-3 fatty acids) in which eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA (C20:5 n-3) and
docosahexaenoic acid, DHA (C22:6 n-3) predominate). All these characteristics,
but mainly a higher intake of n-3 PUFA, have been associated with an essential role
in protection against a number of diseases such as cardio-vascular risk, diabetes type
2 or neurodegenerative disorders (Bourre 2005, Calder 2008).
Fish and shellfish demand will continue to grow, in part due to population
growth but also because demand is stimulated by economic growth, particularly
in societies where consumption per person is low to moderate. In 2020, per capita