Dr. Anuj Tyagi, Assistant Professor Fish Microbiology, Department of Aquatic Environment, College of Fisheries earned Start Up Research Grant (Young Scientist) of Rs. 24.5 lakhs from DST-SERB for project entitled “Study of microbial diversity and potential human pathogens in freshwater aquaculture environment”. Dr. Asha Dhawan, Dean, College of Fisheries said that the research is focused on detection of potential human pathogens from aquaculture environment of Punjab. According to Dr. Tyagi, with a total area of 14,673 ha. and average annual productivity of 5.27 tonnes/ha, both village and private ponds have a crucial role in aquaculture activities of the State. Enhanced focus on integrated fish farming, in which livestock wastes from cattle, pig and poultry (cow/pig dung, poultry manure etc.) are used as inputs, may sometimes lead to bacterial zoonotic infections. This study will employ Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) based 16S-rRNA metagenomics approach to identify overall microbial (including viable but non-culturable) communities in aquaculture environment followed by characterization of human pathogenic groups from this data. PCR and Real-Time PCR assays for detection of these pathogens will also be developed and standardized.
Dr. Asha Dhawan, said that almost no information is available about overall composition of various microbial communities and zoonotic pathogens associated with aquaculture environment of Punjab. The much needed microbial database with respect to aquaculture environments in the State will certainly help in formulation of strategies for effective monitoring and control of aquatic pathogens.
