The role and optimisation of the microbiome in molluscan larval development

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Bivalve hatcheries produce millions of juvenile animals for on-growing in aquaculture farms worldwide. However, within the hatchery environment it is not uncommon for larval batches to suffer large scale mortalities. This project aims to determine the role of the microbiome (bacteria and viruses) in molluscan larval development. The project will begin with an initial characterisation of the microbiome, virome and physicochemical environment in hatchery and experimental systems, followed by several forms of hypothesis driven manipulation. Manipulation will be achieved by antibiotics, bacteriophage, addition of microbes discovered and cultured in earlier stages, addition of facultative pathogens to observe changes in microbiome and also manipulation of the nutrient environment. One of the main objectives will be find alternative approach to antibiotics. If successful, the methods used in hypothesis driven experimental work will be taken into field situations and tested in the hatchery environment. The practical work will be conducted in collaboration with commercial bivalve Hatcheries located in the UK and samples will be analysed using molecular biology and bacterial culture methods.