The launching ceremony of the “International Research Consortium on Gastrointestinal Microbiota in Aquatic Animals” (IRCGMAA) was held at the Feed Research Institute (FRI) of Chinese Academy of Agriculture Science (CAAS), on May 7th. Prof. Guanghai Qi, Director General of FRI, chaired the ceremony. Dr. Weiping Hao, Deputy Director General of Department of International Cooperation of CAAS, attended the ceremony and delivered a speech.

Dr. Weiping Hao introduced the international cooperation achievements of CAAS with special emphasis on bilateral collaboration with Norway, such as Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO). Prof. Nils Vagstad, Director General of NIBIO, reviewed the successful S&T cooperation between China and Norway, especially the long-lasting and fruitful collaboration between CAAS and Norwegian research institutions and universities (e.g. the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, NTNU).

The Chairman of IRCGMAA, Prof. Rolf Erik Olsen from NTNU, introduced the mission and main activities of IRCGMAA , and reviewed the friendly cooperation with Prof. Zhigang Zhou, the chief scientist of the aquafeed innovation team in FRI, and the achievements made by joint efforts.  

the IRCGMAA was jointly inaugurated by Dr. Weiping Hao, Prof. Guanghai Qi, Prof. Zhigang Zhou, Prof. Rolf Erik Olsen, Prof. Jihong Liu Clarke, and Prof. Einar Ringø.

The IRCGMAA was initiated from the bilateral cooperation between NTNU and FRI, based on the China-Norway Joint Lab on Fish Gut Microbiota, dating back to 2015. Currently, there are 27 labs from 12 countries joining the consortium, the chair comes from NTNU and the vice- chair and secretary come from FRI. The consortium aims at promoting joint research of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract microbiota of aquatic animals, and enhancing communication and collaboration among the participants, through scientists exchange, academic workshops, and product development and promotion. The ultimate goal of the consortium is to promote Microbiota studies of the GI tract microbiota of aquatic animals and the interactions with other disciplines such as immunology and physiology in order to develop the efficient, environment-friendly aquaculture. IRCGMAA is expecting to expand its members in the field of fish microbiota research in the future and to establish a world microbial culture collection isolated from the GI tract of aquatic animals.

Prof. Jihong Liu Clarke from NIBIO Norway gave a presentation on the Symposium

Following the launching ceremony, the 3rd International Symposium on GIT Microbiota and Piscine Host was held. Ten scientists from Norway and China were invited to give lectures, and more than 50 representatives from research institutes, universities, government and industry attended the symposium. The speakers presented their work, covering different topics including application of plant genetic engineering technology in aquaculture, frontiers in nutritional metabolism, immunity, diseases and gut health of aquatic animals, and host-microbe interactions, which aroused ardent discussion among the attendees. The experts agreed that the study of GI tract microbiota of aquatic animals is an important driving force in solving disease problems, antibiotic abuse, and environmental deterioration that the aquaculture industry is facing. The participants of IRCGMAA will take advantage of the platform and resources to promote research on GI tract Microbiota of aquatic animals and the development of related products, which will contribute to environment friendly and sustainable aquaculture.

By Ran Chao (ranchao@caas.cn)