Genomic surveillance for antimicrobial resistance in aquaculture pathogens
Official title: Development and Validation of a Genomic Surveillance Workflow for Antimicrobial Resistance in Aquaculture Pathogens
Funded at Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ · NIH-11528937 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project aims to build a DNA-based tracking system to spot antibiotic resistance in bacteria that affect fish farms, helping protect animal health and food safety.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Blacksburg, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | September 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $100,000 |
| NIH project number | 1U18FD008946-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11528937 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals or facilities involved in aquaculture operations and fish health professionals in the Mid-Atlantic region and national collaborators who rely on genomic surveillance data.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient benefit is unlikely for consumers or unrelated clinical populations, as this is a surveillance-focused project using bacterial isolates and environmental samples.
What this research studies
Researchers will use a large collection of aquaculture bacteria collected over 40 years from Virginia and beyond to map how resistance genes appear and spread. They will sequence genomes from 800 isolates and focus in-depth on 400 to understand how resistance changes over time and in different environments. The goal is to turn genomic data into a practical, early-warning tool for monitoring AMR risks in aquaculture systems. The work relies on existing networks and a biobank to produce actionable insights for farmers, veterinarians, and regulators.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could enable earlier detection of AMR threats in aquaculture, guiding targeted interventions to protect animal health and ensure safer seafood.
How similar studies have gone: Precedent exists for using whole-genome sequencing to monitor resistance trends in clinical and environmental bacteria, with growing adoption in public health surveillance.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
Blacksburg, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gilbertie, Jessica — Virginia Polytechnic Inst and St Univ
- Study coordinator: Gilbertie, Jessica
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.