Molecular biology techniques have become a well-established, accurate, and effective way to obtain pathogen detection results. This makes these techniques very powerful not only in aquatic pathogen detection but also other industries such as animal agriculture and in hospitals for human disease.

On this four-week course, you’ll learn how to perform different molecular biology techniques for effective aquatic pathogen detection.

Using white shrimp as your test subject, you’ll develop the skills to identify diseases, detect pathogens, and summarise your results in a report that can help with disease control.

Understand the steps of RNA extraction

You’ll start by examining the anatomy of a white shrimp to help you identify the signs of three common diseases. With this knowledge, you’ll then explore how to prevent these diseases.

Next, you’ll learn DNA and total RNA extraction techniques to help you begin your analysis of white shrimp tissue.

Learn the procedures of cDNA synthesis and polymerase chain reaction

Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) plays an important role in the early detection and prevention of infectious diseases in aquaculture.

On the course, you’ll explore different PCR techniques, such as cDNA synthesis, to ensure you can detect shrimp viruses and potential causes of shrimp diseases.

Perform pathogen detection using molecular biology techniques

Finally, you’ll learn practical skills to perform pathogen detection using the molecular biology techniques explained on this course.

By the end, you’ll know how to collect and dissect diseased shrimp from farms, identify clinical signs of diseased shrimp, and perform tissue collections.