WorldFish Tilapia Research Co-ordination and Planning Visit
Lead Research Organisation:
Bangor University
Department Name: Sch of Biological Sciences
Abstract
Malaysia
Publications
Blackwell T
(2020)
Newly discovered cichlid fish biodiversity threatened by hybridization with non-native species
in Molecular Ecology
| Description | The primary purpose of the proposed visit was to establish a research collaboration between the Turner lab at Bangor University, the di-Palma and Haerty (Dr Wilfried Haerty) labs at TGAC (now the Earlham Institute), and the WorldFish genetics group, with the aim of developing research proposals for submission to national/international funding programmes. We attended a symposium in Zanzibar in September 2016 at which it was agreed to set up a stakeholders consortium. We also agreed to a followup workshop in Morogoro in January 2017 primarily aimed at training staff in the use of a smartphone app to record distribution records of tilapias in natural water bodies and fish farms. We had originally planned to travel to Malaysia to coincide with a visit by Swedish and Tanzanian researchers, but the funding notification did not come through in time for us to make the arrangements. However, an even better opportunity arose as we were able to attend the international AgriFose meeting in Zanzibar, along with scientists from WorldFish and Sweden. |
| Exploitation Route | Our main aim was achieved, as several funding bids were submitted to GCRF and Darwin Initiative. Core GCRF funds were awarded to develop further bioinformatic and genomic tools for tilapia aquaculture, and a grant from JRS Biodiversity Foundation will allow for further enhancement of field data collection, archiving and sharing, with the geographic coverage extended to Kenya, in a collaboration involving the National Museums of Kenya, Sokoine University of Agriculture and COSTECH in Tanzania. Additional discussion are in progress to expand this approach to Malawi and Uganda. WorldFish and Bangor University are now formally recognised as partners of the Earlham Institute and are collaborating on sequencing the GIFT strain of tilapia developed by WorldFish. |
| Sectors | Agriculture Food and Drink Environment |
| URL | http://jrsbiodiversity.org/grants/bangor-2017/ |
| Description | We have developed a smartphone App, TilapiaMap aimed at collecting data on the distribution of native and invasive tilapia strains in Africa. We have trained staff of local agencies in Tanzania and Kenya in its use and some preliminary data has been collected. In process we have also helped raise awareness of the threats posed by exotic species, which has resulted in meetings of fish farmers in Tanzania & Kenya, and a change in policy and practice among cage farmers operating on Lake Nyasa and in the Mbeya region covering part of the lake catchment. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2017 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Environment |
| Impact Types | Economic Policy & public services |
| Description | Mapping for Conservation of Native Tilapia Resources in East Africa |
| Amount | $264,100 (USD) |
| Organisation | JRS Biodiversity Foundation |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| Country | United States |
| Start | 09/2017 |
| End | 09/2020 |
| Title | Tilapia genomic reads (various technologies) and assemblies |
| Description | Genomic data produce to enable the genome reconstruction of Oreochromis leucostictus |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | These resources enable the identification of the extent of wild population diversity |
| URL | https://www.ebi.ac.uk/ena/browser/view/PRJEB34359 |
| Title | Tilapia genomic reads (various technologies) and assemblies - Alcolapia grahami |
| Description | Genomic resources for the reconstruction of the genome of Alcolapia grahami |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | These resources enable the identification of the extent of wild population diversity |
| URL | https://www.ebi.ac.uk/ena/browser/view/PRJEB34375 |
| Title | Tilapia genomic reads (various technologies) and assemblies - Oreochromis esculentus |
| Description | Genomic data for the reconstruction of the genome of Oreochromis esculentus |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | These resources enable the identification of the extent of wild population diversity |
| URL | https://www.ebi.ac.uk/ena/browser/view/PRJEB33948 |
| Title | Tilapia genomic reads (various technologies) and assemblies - Oreochromis mossambicus |
| Description | Genomic sequencing data for the genome reconstruction of Oreochromis mossambicus |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | These resources enable the identification of the extent of wild population diversity |
| URL | https://www.ebi.ac.uk/ena/browser/view/PRJEB36511 |
| Title | Tilapia genomic reads (various technologies) and assemblies - Oreochromis rukwaensis |
| Description | Genomic resources for the reconstruction of the genome of Oreochromis rukwaensis |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | These resources enable the identification of the extent of wild population diversity |
| URL | https://www.ebi.ac.uk/ena/browser/view/PRJEB36513 |
| Title | Tilapia genomic reads (various technologies) and assemblies - Oreochromis urolepis |
| Description | Genomic resources for the assembly of the Oreochromis urolepis genome |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | These resources enable the identification of the extent of wild population diversity |
| URL | https://www.ebi.ac.uk/ena/browser/view/PRJEB34373 |
| Title | genome and transcriptome of Oreochromis mossambicus |
| Description | Genome and transcriptome for Oreochromis mossambicus |
| Type Of Material | Database/Collection of data |
| Year Produced | 2023 |
| Provided To Others? | Yes |
| Impact | This data set enable the generation of the tilapia elite strain (GIFT) genome completion and analysis |
| URL | https://www.ebi.ac.uk/ena/browser/view/PRJEB49245 |
| Description | Collaboration - WorldFish |
| Organisation | Worldfish |
| Country | Malaysia |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | As part of this collaboration we have been generating genomic resources and identifying the genetic bases of traits of interest |
| Collaborator Contribution | WorldFish has been providing samples for sequencing, genetic data |
| Impact | 10.1186/s12864-022-09065-8 |
| Start Year | 2020 |
| Description | Tilapia for sustainable fish production while maintaining Biodiversity |
| Organisation | Worldfish |
| Country | Malaysia |
| Sector | Charity/Non Profit |
| PI Contribution | F. Di Palma is a research partner in the new CGIAR research program on fish agri-food systems. |
| Collaborator Contribution | J. Benzie from WorldFish is a research partner on Earlham BBSRC Core Strategic programme "Genomics for Food Security" for the Natural diversity and adaptation in aquaculture research activities. |
| Impact | Partnership yielded activities in Core strategic programmes and training workshops and further partnerships.I t is multidisciplinary including genomics, informatics, breeding expertise, Fisheries officers from tanzania, Ministry of aquaculture and Life stocks in Tanzania, further academic institutions in Tanzania Uk and Sweden, ecology, and environmental policy as well as disease resistance. |
| Start Year | 2016 |
| Description | Conference Presentation - Genomics in Aquaculture - Evolutionn of chromatin accessibility in Nile tilapia |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Genomics in Aquaculture |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Invasive species threat to native tilapia biodiversity |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | Invasive species threat to native tilapia biodiversity |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| URL | https://www.earlham.ac.uk/newsroom/invasive-species-threat-newly-discovered-native-tilapia-biodivers... |
| Description | Invited seminar - Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences - Complex evolutionary history of tilapia |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Invited presentation at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| Description | Key tilapia genome offers boost to global food security - Tarang Mehta, Graham Etherington, Will Nash, Adam Ciezarek |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Engagement focused website, blog or social media channel |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | News story to highlight a new publication from EI researchers on reference genome for a key aquaculture species, designed to reach breeders, industry, and academics working in this space. Positive trade media coverage, as well as promotion from project collaborators, helped this news to reach a wide audience and enhance EI's reputation. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2023 |
| URL | https://www.earlham.ac.uk/news/key-tilapia-genome-offers-boost-global-food-security |
| Description | New bioinformatics tool spots hybrid fish that threaten the survival of natural tilapia populations in aquaculture |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
| Results and Impact | News letter describing the development of a cost effective genotyping platform enabling tilapia species discrimination and species identification |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2021 |
| URL | https://www.earlham.ac.uk/newsroom/new-bioinformatics-tool-spots-hybrid-fish-threaten-survival-natur... |
| Description | Oral Presentation - Genomics in Aquaculture (GIA) 6th, Granada, Spain - EXAMINING GENETIC DIVERSITY AND CHROMATIN ACCESSIBILITY IN AQUACULTURE-RELEVANT TILAPIA SPECIES - Tarang Mehta |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Oral presentation as part of the Genomics in Aquaculture (GIA) 6th, Granada, Spain |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Podcast - Genetics Unzipped Podcast by the Genetics Society - S5.20 Bread and fishes: the future of food in a changing climate - Tarang Mehta |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Podcast to highlight activities focusing on building genomic resources for aquaculture |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://geneticsunzipped.com/blog/2022/10/6/bread-and-fishes |
| Description | Poster Presentation - Cichlid Science 2022 - Ongoing and ancient introgression in Oreochromis tilapias - Adam Ciezarek |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Poster presentation as part of the Cichlid Science 2022, Cambridge UK |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Poster Presentation - Cichlid Science 2022, Cambridge - Evolution of regulatory networks associated with traits of cichlid phenotypic diversity - Tarang Mehta |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Poster presentation as part of the Cichlid Science 2022 conference |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Poster presentation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Poster presentation as part of the Biodiversity Genomics Conference |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2020 |
| Description | Presentation - Invited Seminar - Roslin Institute, Edinburgh - Complex evolutionary history of tilapia and impact on elite breeds for aquaculture |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Invited Seminar at the Roslin Institute, Edinburgh |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| Description | Press article - Improved strain of tilapia genome sequencing highlighted by UKRI and BBSRC Impact Showcase of 2022 - Tarang Mehta, Will Nash, Adam Ciezarek, Graham Etherington |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Article as part of BBSRC Impact showcase 2022 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://preview.shorthand.com/uG7dbZH9ZkAyeO0M#group-section-Collaboration-Tv0V86lglL |
| Description | Press article - UKRI BBSRC Strategic Delivery Plan 2022 - Cichlid GRNs work 'A role for non-coding DNA in biodiversity' - Tarang Mehta |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A magazine, newsletter or online publication |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Article highlighting activities to characterise regulatory networks in cichlids published in UKRI BBSRC Strategic Delivery Plan 2022 |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.ukri.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/BBSRC-010922-StrategicDeliveryPlan2022.pdf |
| Description | Press release - Improving aquaculture with genomics resources for breeders - Tarang Mehta |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Press release for publication of the GIFT genome |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.earlham.ac.uk/impact-story-improving-aquaculture-genomics-resources-breeders |
| Description | Press release - The genetic machinery that drives biodiversity - Tarang Mehta |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A press release, press conference or response to a media enquiry/interview |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | Press release for the publication of the article describing approaches to reconstruct regulatory networks |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2022 |
| URL | https://www.earlham.ac.uk/articles/genetic-machinery-drives-biodiversity |