Improvement of shrimp culture using transgenerational conditioning in Cuba

Transgenerational conditioning is a rather novel concept which states that some phenotypes can be inherited in a DNA independent fashion. The aim of the present project is to improve Cuban shrimp culture, with a special focus on mitigating vibriosis, using transgenerational conditioning, a concept that, as far we know in shrimp aquaculture, is unrivalled. Special attention will be dedicated to the possibility to accomplish synergy in mitigating vibriosis, especially at hatchery level, by incorporating findings of our previous VLIR South-Initiative 2014 project on beneficial microbial community steering, into novel transgenerational conditioning protocols. Demonstrating transfer of phenotype across only one generation will be considered an important milestone. We will strengthen the molecular biology and human resource (2 PhD and 4 local MSc) capacities at the university, invigorating long term sustainability. A major impact is anticipated in the country Central-Eastern priority region. We will strongly focus on gender equality during the project activities. Intensive exchange and collaboration with governmental stakeholders is foreseen to maximize the impact of the project.