Diagnostic detection of aquatic pathogens using real-time next generation sequencing

A major impediment to increasing productivity in the aquaculture sector are disease outbreaks, which are likely to increase in frequency as the Australian aquaculture sector expands. Although disease outbreaks can be mitigated using existing biosecurity protocols, efficiency improvements in disease management are required. New technologies for the detection and surveillance of pathogens are continually being developed but need verification under Australia’s set of circumstances. The current project will evaluate, assess fitness fit for purpose and partially validate a new technology solution – a hand-held DNA sequencer, the MinION – for use in speeding disease diagnostics. A key advantage of this technology is the ability to produce data in real-time, meaning the user can begin to analyse the data as the sample is being sequenced.