HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-04: Enhancing plant protein production to bolster the resilience of agricultural systems

Aquaculture represents the fastest-growing food production sector globally. However, its sustainability is at stake due to the predicted effects of climate change that are not only a future but also a present reality. Unsuitable farming conditions can lead to antibiotic overuse as prophylactic and therapeutic treatments, being a major cause for the emergence and widespread of antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, alternative and sustainable management strategies against infection are urgently needed.
Within this context, A2S team aims to explore innovative and sustainable solutions to improve the health condition of farmed animals. We also have skills and facilities for the development and optimization of alternative protein sources for aquafeeds to ensure a socially and environmentally sustainable future for the aquaculture industry.

Both fundamental understanding of the mechanisms involved as well as practical approaches in collaboration with companies are pursued.

The research being developed by A2S Team focus on sustainable strategies to improve animal health and the use of novel low carbon footprint feed ingredients. Nutritional approaches for animal health management are also expected to contribute to reduce the need for non-sustainable solutions such as antimicrobials. Beyond nutritional strategies, biotechnological concepts such as genetic improvement, passive immunization and novel vehicles for antigen delivery through oral vaccines are also being carried out.