University of Gothenburg: PhD position in Analytical Chemistry / Molecular Biology / Microbiology
One of the greatest current challenges in aquaculture is the ability to develop new and novel feed sources that are better able to utilize available nutrient and energy inputs. Aquaculture is growing rapidly, but its key inputs, including fishmeal from wild-caught lower trophic-level fish present a number of challenges for industry sustainability. Phytoplankton, bacteria and cyanobacteria have all been used as probiotic supplements in feed, but only more recently as a substitute for protein in feeds. Yet wild fish thrive while ingesting naturally occurring microbial communities (biofilm/periphyton, biofloc) and the use of microorganisms to boost aquaculture performance is not a new practice given that bacteria and yeasts are frequently used in commercial production as pre- and probiotic supplements and immunostimulants. However, only relatively recently have commercial operations demonstrated the utility of microbes as a direct nutrient source for a variety of farmed or...