Aquatic Animal Health and Biosecurity Subprogram: Identification of differentially expressed innate immune genes in the New Zealand paua (Haliotis iris) and the Australian hybrid abalone (H. laevigata X H. rubra) upon immersion challenge with the abalone herpesvirus-1 (HaHV)

Summary:

This project was carried out by scientists from AAHL CSIRO (Dr Serge Corbeil) and from LaTrobe University (Drs Karla Helbig and Subir Sarker). After discovering the existence of an abalone species (Päua - Haliotis iris) resistant to AVG our research team based in Geelong and Melbourne undertook (2018) to expose the AVG resistant päua and the AVG susceptible greenlip x blacklip hybrid abalone to HaHV-1 (the etiological agent of AVG) and look for differential gene expression between species. Cutting edge sequencing technology and bio-informatic analysis allowed us to investigate the gene expression of the animals at the molecular level. This approach led to pinpoint abalone genes that are likely to play a role in the protection against AVG in päua. Furthermore, the identification of these genes may facilitate (if applicable) the use of a gene silencing technology such as the CRISPR system in vitro and in vivo to improve immune response to AVG. A breeding program strategy could also eventually be implemented to increase resistance to AVG in susceptible abalone species.