Engineered Probiotic Bacteria for Aquaculture Pathogen Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aquaculture systems face significant challenges in controlling diseases, particularly in shrimp, due to the lack of effective immune response mechanisms, persistent viral infections, and the transmission of multiple viruses, leading to high economic losses and environmental concerns from antibiotic use.
Innovation Solution
Development of novel probiotic bacterial strains, such as Bacillus Subtilis sp. MM-W1 and MM-W2, engineered to express inhibitory RNA molecules that target specific pathogen genes, quorum sensing, and biofilm formation, providing a stable and continuous delivery of RNA interference molecules to downregulate pathogen expression.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If antibiotics are used to treat shrimp diseases, then disease mortality is reduced, but environmental pollution and bacterial resistance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses RNA interference molecules to specifically target and silence pathogen genes, converting the harmful effect of pathogens into a beneficial therapeutic outcome. The dsRNA molecules selectively bind to and degrade pathogen mRNA, reducing disease mortality without the harmful side effects of antibiotics such as environmental pollution and bacterial resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces probiotic bacteria as intermediary organisms that deliver RNA interference molecules to shrimp. These probiotic bacteria act as mediators between the treatment and the shrimp, providing targeted gene silencing while maintaining safety and reducing harmful effects. The probiotic bacteria colonize the shrimp gut and continuously provide protective RNA molecules.
2Reliability
If probiotic bacteria are engineered to deliver RNA interference molecules, then pathogen control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The probiotic bacteria are engineered to autonomously produce and deliver RNA interference molecules within the shrimp gut environment. The bacteria self-regulate the expression of dsRNA molecules in response to pathogen presence, providing continuous protection without requiring external intervention. This self-service capability simplifies the overall treatment system despite the initial engineering complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The engineered probiotic bacteria perform multiple functions: they colonize the gut, detect pathogens, produce RNA interference molecules, and deliver these molecules continuously. This multi-functionality consolidates multiple treatment steps into a single biological system, reducing overall system complexity while improving pathogen control effectiveness.
3Productivity
If shrimp are raised in high density production systems, then productivity increases, but disease transmission risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The probiotic bacteria are introduced to shrimp at early stages (larval or juvenile phases) to establish colonization before pathogen exposure occurs. This preliminary establishment of protective microbiota creates immunological memory and continuous protection, enabling shrimp to resist diseases even in high-density production systems where disease transmission risk is elevated.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The engineered bacterial strains effectively reduce disease prevalence and biofilm formation in shrimp, enhancing their immune response and reducing the need for antibiotics, thereby minimizing environmental and health risks.
Implementation Method 1
engineered to express and deliver interfering RNA molecules configured to downregulate expression of one or more pathogen, or endogenous host genes
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is directed to novel probiotic bacterial strains that colonize animal tissues, and in particular the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of aquatic animals grown in aquaculture environments and may further be engineered to express and deliver interfering RNA molecules configured to downregulate expression of one or more pathogen, or endogenous host genes.