Over the past decade, the research of Animal Biotechnology and Aquaculture Unit has focused on advancing sustainable aquaculture through an integrated approach combining fish nutrition, gut microbiome science, functional feed development, and molecular physiology. A major pillar of our work is the development and validation of novel aquafeeds, particularly the replacement of protein and lipid sources derived from the ocean (fishmeal and fish oil) with alternative and more sustainable raw materials, such as insect larvae meal, single-cell proteins, poultry by-products, microbial oils, and plant-based sources. These studies consistently evaluate impacts on fish growth performance, intestinal health, immune response, metabolic regulation, and fillet quality for human consumption in key farmed species including European sea bass, gilthead seabream, rainbow trout, Atlantic salmon.

 

 

A second core area of expertise is fish gut microbiota and host–microbe interactions. We have led or co-led multiple studies employing next-generation sequencing, metabolomics, and machine learning to characterize how diet, genotype, nutritional programming, and environmental stressors shape microbial communities and, in turn, influence feed efficiency, disease resistance, and welfare. This positions our work at the interface between microbiome research, precision nutrition, and aquaculture health management.

 

We also have strong expertise in molecular and functional physiology, including gene expression analysis of stress, immune, metabolic, and nutrient transporter pathways, as well as epigenetic and transcriptomic responses to fish dietary interventions. This mechanistic insight supports evidence-based feed formulation and functional additive development.

 

A further distinctive line of research is the circular bioeconomy in aquaculture, demonstrated by studies on valorization of food and industrial by-products, microbial bioconversion, insect biorefinery chains, and integrated systems linking waste streams to high value aquafeed production. This connects nutrition science with environmental biotechnology and resource efficiency.

 

Finally, our recent publications show growing engagement with high-throughput analytical platforms, omics integration, and AI-assisted data analysis, alongside collaborative work on aquaculture systems, environmental impacts, and contaminant mitigation. This reflects a mature interdisciplinary profile linking fundamental biology, applied biotechnology, and industry-relevant innovation.

 

This Research Unit’s particular areas of specialization include:

 

 

 

For the rearing of marine fish species, the Research Unit is equipped with a recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) comprising tanks of different shapes and capacities, with a total working volume of 25 m³. The facility includes a pilot-scale aquaponic system and supports both freshwater and marine species. An online monitoring system continuously controls water quality parameters, ensuring stable and reproducible experimental conditions. The RAS is routinely used for feeding and nutrition trials with diverse fish species, including European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), and gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata). The Research Unit also has access to a conventional freshwater flow-through system commonly used in the Lombardy Region for rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) rearing.

 

The Research Unit hosts a fully equipped laboratory for microbiota characterization and molecular biology analyses. Facilities include automated DNA and RNA extraction systems, PCR and quantitative real-time PCR platforms, digital droplet PCR, gel electrophoresis, and UV–fluorescence–ECL imaging systems. The Unit has access to cell culture facilities, metabolic chambers, fluorimeters, spectrophotometers, and −80 °C freezers, alongside standard liquid-handling and solution preparation equipment.

 

Microbiota DNA sequencing capabilities include long-read technology (Oxford Nanopore MinION™), and the Unit has access to an Illumina HiSeq 2500 platform for metagenomics studies. Bioinformatics workstations support data processing, omics integration, and advanced microbial community analysis.

 

The Unit also has access to the University’s Platform of Microscopy and Imaging, equipped with fluorescence microscopes, a scanning electron microscope (SEM), a transmission electron microscope (TEM), an inverted confocal microscope, an atomic force microscope (AFM), an ultramicrotome, and a flow cytometer.

 

Active collaborations are in place with commercial mariculture facilities and inland freshwater fish farms, including hatcheries, where undergraduate and PhD students can conduct research for their theses. The Unit also maintains strong collaborations with the Italian aquafeed industry, as well as with multiple Italian and European research institutes and universities, fostering joint research, knowledge exchange, and training opportunities.