New JAmp Kit helps combat shrimp disease in the Philippines
Margust Dela Cerna | August 19, 2024
Filipinos have a strong affinity for seafood, with shrimp, crab, and various fish being staples in their diet. Notably, 96% of the shrimp produced in the Philippines is consumed locally, leaving only 4% for export. However, shrimp production faces a significant threat from diseases, particularly the White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV), which has no available commercial control methods. This virus is highly contagious and lethal to shrimp.
To tackle this problem, a research team from the University of Santo Tomas, led by Dr. Mary Beth Maningas, developed the Juan Amplification (JAmp) WSSV Detection Kit. This kit utilizes loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technology to detect WSSV. It includes instructions for DNA extraction and a master mix for the LAMP assay with primers specifically designed for WSSV detection.
The JAmp WSSV Detection Kit is user-friendly and effective for onsite detection of WSSV in shrimp at any life stage and using any tissue type. It employs four to six specially developed primers, making it ten times more sensitive than the traditional polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which uses only two primers. This increased sensitivity speeds up the reaction time, providing results within an hour. The results are easy to read, as a fluorescent sample indicates a positive result.
The technology is cost-effective, paired with a simple heat block apparatus rather than an expensive thermal cycler. This simplicity makes testing affordable compared to other conventional methods.
The JAmp WSSV Detection Kit enables prompt detection of WSSV in shrimp, allowing for immediate control and preventive measures to stop the spread of the disease. This will help reduce shrimp mortality and economic losses for farmers and pond owners in the Philippines. The kit can also be used in other countries, improving farm management practices and reducing reliance on costly imported diagnostic kits.
Pilot tests of the kit have been conducted in General Santos, Iloilo, Bohol, Cebu, and Davao. Eighteen kits were distributed to shrimp operators and beneficiaries nationwide, demonstrating its practical application and effectiveness in the field.
To tackle this problem, a research team from the University of Santo Tomas, led by Dr. Mary Beth Maningas, developed the Juan Amplification (JAmp) WSSV Detection Kit. This kit utilizes loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) technology to detect WSSV. It includes instructions for DNA extraction and a master mix for the LAMP assay with primers specifically designed for WSSV detection.
The JAmp WSSV Detection Kit is user-friendly and effective for onsite detection of WSSV in shrimp at any life stage and using any tissue type. It employs four to six specially developed primers, making it ten times more sensitive than the traditional polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which uses only two primers. This increased sensitivity speeds up the reaction time, providing results within an hour. The results are easy to read, as a fluorescent sample indicates a positive result.
The technology is cost-effective, paired with a simple heat block apparatus rather than an expensive thermal cycler. This simplicity makes testing affordable compared to other conventional methods.
The JAmp WSSV Detection Kit enables prompt detection of WSSV in shrimp, allowing for immediate control and preventive measures to stop the spread of the disease. This will help reduce shrimp mortality and economic losses for farmers and pond owners in the Philippines. The kit can also be used in other countries, improving farm management practices and reducing reliance on costly imported diagnostic kits.
Pilot tests of the kit have been conducted in General Santos, Iloilo, Bohol, Cebu, and Davao. Eighteen kits were distributed to shrimp operators and beneficiaries nationwide, demonstrating its practical application and effectiveness in the field.
