Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MSc)

Department

Health Science

Faculty/School

Faculty of Science

First Advisor

Dr. Stephanie DeWitte-Orr

Advisor Role

Principal Investigator

Abstract

Aquaculture plays a vital role in society by providing a significant food source while supporting economic growth. Within aquaculture, viral infections such as viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus (VHSV) pose significant threats to farmed fish health. VHSV is largely associated with farmed rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) and leads to extreme mortality rates due to its transmissibility. With fish immunology being an underdeveloped area of study, a more thorough understanding of the antiviral response is important to support advancements in fish antiviral therapeutics. Long double-stranded RNA (LdsRNA), a nucleic acid produced by viruses, induces both type I interferon and RNA interference (RNAi) antiviral responses. In this study, we aim to investigate in vitro the antiviral response induced by different dsRNA molecules in rainbow trout. The cytotoxic effects of these dsRNA molecules will be evaluated to identify concentrations that effectively stimulate antiviral responses while maintaining cell viability. In addition, we are investigating the differences in type I interferon responses (kinetics and intensity of induction) induced by high and low molecular weight polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly I:C), a synthetic mimic of viral dsRNA, and VHSV-N specific dsRNA, in the rainbow trout gonadal reporter cell line, RTG-P1, which enables measurement of interferon pathway activation. Additionally, dsRNA molecules are being synthesized to contain sequences preferred by Dicer, a key enzyme in the RNAi pathway that cleaves dsRNA into small interfering RNAs (siRNAs), to enhance cleavage efficiency. These findings enhance our understanding of dsRNA-mediated responses in rainbow trout, supporting the development of fish antiviral therapeutics, which are crucial for aquaculture success.

Convocation Year

2026

Convocation Season

Fall

Download

Available for download on Tuesday, August 10, 2027

Share

COinS