IZSVe included in the European Commission’s list of “Key innovators” thanks to two sustainable aquaculture projects

Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe) has been identified as a key innovator in the European Commission’s Innovation Radar Platform by virtue of two research projects in the field of aquaculture, awarded for their high level of scientific and technological maturity and market potential. The projects in question, FutureEUAqua and PathoGelTrap, funded by the European Union in the framework of the Horizon 2020 programme, involve IZSVe researchers in the development of innovative technical and scientific solutions to promote sustainable aquaculture and improve production.

FuturEUAqua is a sustainable aquaculture project oriented towards ensuring that future European aquaculture can successfully address the challenges of climate change and market demands. The project involves several IZSVe laboratories coordinated by the Fish and Seafood Specialist Centre (CSI), with a focus on monitoring technologies. Innovation Radar positively assessed the part relating to “Modelling techniques for KPI analysis,” conducted by CSI through the collection, assessment, and integration of data on key indicators, specifically oxidative stress indicators, such as Heat Shock Protein 70 (HSP70), malondialdehyde (MDA) and 4-hydroxynonenal, from organs and tissues of sea bass and sea bream. Based on this innovative solution, the project was assigned to the Exploring category. This encompasses innovations which actively explore opportunities for creating value, proposing solutions in the early stages of technological development but which already display high levels of market orientation, coupled with superior skill and commitment on the part of the proposing organisation.

The PathoGelTrap  project promises to revolutionise infectious disease management practices in fish farming, providing the industry with technology designed to efficiently remove specific pathogens. How? By using a protein gel that captures and traps viruses and bacteria directly in the water. Researchers from the Fish, Crustacean and Mollusc Pathology Centre are testing the efficacy of intelligent proteins in identifying and inactivating pathogens, providing a sustainable alternative in the management of aquaculture-related diseases. The project was selected under the Business ready category, relating to projects in which robust ideas are developed at an already advanced stage for the market. Marketing will depend on how technological development progresses.

The purpose of the Innovation Radar platform is to give broad visibility and accessibility to the most innovative projects funded by the EU. The initiative is supported by the Member States and to date over 7,600 projects have been included in the platform.