ICAR-CIBA, Chennai Conducts Training Programme on Fish Vaccination Techniques and Immune Response Monitoring

24 July 2026, Chennai

ICAR–Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai organized a five-day training programme on "Fish Vaccination Techniques and Monitoring Immune Response" from 20–24 July 2026 under the Fish Culture Division. The programme aimed to enhance the technical knowledge and practical skills of participants in fish vaccination and disease diagnostics for sustainable finfish aquaculture. The training programme was inaugurated by Dr M. Kailasam, Director, ICAR-CIBA, who released the training manual during the inaugural session.

The programme comprised both theoretical and hands-on practical sessions covering key aspects of fish vaccine development and administration. The theoretical sessions included expression and purification of recombinant Nervous Necrosis Virus (NNV) capsid protein in Escherichia coli, vaccine preparation, including injectable, oral, and immersion vaccines, and administration of vaccines to broodstock, fingerlings, and Asian seabass larvae through appropriate delivery methods.

The practical sessions provided intensive training on non-lethal sampling of Asian seabass broodstock for screening of Viral Nervous Necrosis (VNN), blood sampling for antibody titration, virus propagation and titration, screening of ovarian fluids for VNN using nested PCR, estimation of NNV-specific serum antibodies in vaccinated Asian seabass, and challenge studies using immersion and injection methods. Participants received hands-on exposure to all major practical aspects of fish vaccination and immune response monitoring.

The valedictory session was presided over by Dr M. Kailasam, who distributed certificates to the participants. In his address, he emphasized the significance of fish vaccination as an effective prophylactic strategy for preventing diseases in finfish aquaculture and highlighted its role in improving fish health and ensuring sustainable aquaculture production.

The training programme was attended by 15 participants, who benefited from comprehensive theoretical inputs and practical demonstrations delivered by the Institute's experts.

(Source: ICAR-Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture, Chennai)