Two researchers from the Interdisciplinary Center for Aquaculture Research (INCAR), Dr. Yeny Leal Acosta and Dr. Raibel Suárez, have been awarded FONDECYT Postdoctoral Projects. Further details regarding the research initiatives that each will lead in 2025 are available.
Investigating the immune cells in Atlantic salmon infected with genogroups of Piscirickettsia salmonis through single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq).
The project lead by Dr, Yeny Leal Acosta is sponsored by Dr. Valentina Valenzuela-Muñoz, Associate Researcher at the INCAR Center, and aims to investigate the heterogeneity of immune cells in the anterior kidney of Atlantic salmon infected with various genogroups of P. salmonis. Additionally, it seeks to evaluate the immune response to inactivated vaccine immunization through snRNA-seq analysis. This research intends to elucidate the underlying pathogenic mechanisms within each affected host cell population, thereby contributing to the development of more effective vaccination strategies and disease control measures. Ultimately, the project aims to generate cellular molecular biomarkers to identify different genogroups of P. salmonis, facilitating the association of bacterial genogroup virulence levels with the immune cell population landscape in Atlantic salmon.
Investigating the cellular mechanisms related to the morpho-functional response of epithelial cells in the gills and intestines of rainbow trout, specifically RTGut-GC and RTGill-W1, in response to infection by Piscirickettsia salmonis.
The project, led by Dr. Raibel Suárez, sponsored by Dr. Alex Romero Zúñiga, Associate Researcher at the INCAR Center and academic at the Universidad Austral de Chile in Valdivia. The primary aim of this research is to characterize in vitro the infectious process of Piscirickettsia salmonis within the epithelial cells of the gills and intestines of rainbow trout. Specifically, the study will assess the implications of the pro-inflammatory response and gene expression on the translocation of the bacteria and the alteration of the epithelial morphofunctionality. This investigation indirectly seeks to provide findings that could reduce the reliance on antibiotics in marine environments. As both the bacteria and antibiotics penetrate through the epithelium, understanding the infection mechanism of the bacteria will enhance our comprehension of the effectiveness of antibiotics in counteracting bacterial entry into the underlying tissues and underscore the significance of non-pharmacological alternatives for improving epithelial health and preventing successful infections.
