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TR.AQUA Innovative and Sustainable Practices in Aquaculture within the Framework of Food Supply Secu
The aim of the 1004 Program is to support research programs conducted domestically in priority areas determined within the scope of national goals and policies, which have measurable objectives, are of a scientific nature, and have high commercialization potential, in order to specialize and become centers of excellence in the research infrastructure of higher education institutions by collaborating with R&D/Design centers and public R&D units.
The impacts of traditional fishing and aquaculture methods, which are often unsustainable and can lead to environmental effects, encourage us to work on new techniques for the conservation of aquatic biodiversity and the transfer of resources to future generations. Thus, modern technology and scientific approaches are critical for both conserving biodiversity and ensuring food supply.
Overexploitation and mismanagement of aquatic ecosystems can lead to depletion of water resources and damage to ecosystems. The work under TR.Aqua focuses on innovative aquaculture management approaches that help manage water resources sustainably and conserve them for future generations.
The project titled "AquaGenomics: Whole Genome-Transcriptome Sequencing and Cell Line Generation of Target Species of Importance in Aquaculture Food Security" aims to fully sequence the genomes and transcriptomes of species of strategic importance in aquaculture and fisheries in Turkey, with the goal of moving aquaculture and fisheries in Türkiye to a sustainable foundation. In this way, important information such as the genetic structures of species, their adaptation abilities, and their resistance levels to diseases will be obtained, and more effective use of genetic resources in aquaculture will be ensured.
Furthermore, another important goal of the project is the creation of specialized cell lines for use in aquaculture. These cell lines will be of great importance in developing aquaculture varieties resistant to various diseases and in controlling disease outbreaks. In addition, thanks to specialized cell lines, aquaculture will be carried out in a more controlled manner and environmental impacts will be minimized.
The work within the scope of the project continues through laboratory experiments, bioinformatic analyses, course applications, training programs, workshops, and other activities.
With the support of the Evolutionary Genetics Laboratory (eGL) at Ankara University and the AgriGenomics Plant and Animal Innovation Center (AgriGx), experiments for whole-genome and transcriptome analyses of 35 selected species are being conducted with great precision. DNA- and RNA-based molecular workflows carried out in our laboratory play a critical role in ensuring the successful progression of the project.
Within the framework of the project entitled “Isolation of Candidate Probiotic Yeasts from Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and Investigation of Their Probiotic Effects,” led by the Aquaculture Application and Research Center of Isparta University of Applied Sciences, laboratory experiments for the isolation of candidate probiotic yeasts, amplification of ITS gene regions, and Sanger sequencing are conducted at the AgriGenomics Hub: Animal and Plant Genomics Research and Innovation Center.
Another project supported under the TÜBİTAK 1004 Program (High Technology Platforms Support Program), entitled “Determination of Broodstock Profiles and Production Performance for High-Quality Fry Production in Rainbow Trout,” is led by the Agricultural Application and Research Center of Tokat Gaziosmanpaşa University. Within this project, genomic DNA extracted from all samples is used for the construction of RAD-seq libraries, while QTL mapping based on SNP markers derived from fin tissue samples is carried out at the AgriGenomics Hub laboratory.