Sex identification in aquaculture species such as Solea senegalensis remains a significant challenge, as external sexual dimorphism is often absent during early developmental stages. This makes it difficult to manage breeding programs, optimise stock composition, and improve production efficiency.
Current methods are typically time-consuming, require specialised laboratory equipment, or can only be applied at later stages, limiting their practical use in commercial aquaculture settings.
The developed technology consists of a molecular method for sex determination in Solea senegalensis that enables the rapid and simple identification of males and females from their DNA without the need for specialized equipment.
The procedure is based on extracting a DNA sample from the individual and analyzing it through two loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) reactions designed with specific primers that target a genetic region associated with sex in this species. Unlike conventional PCR-based methods, this approach avoids thermal cycling, does not require thermocyclers or electrophoresis, and provides results in approximately one hour. The invention is presented as a kit that includes all the necessary reagents and tools to complete the process, from DNA extraction to result interpretation via colorimetry or fluorescence.
This method enables sex identification at early developmental stages, facilitating the planning of female-biased populations, and offers an efficient, practical alternative for applications in aquaculture.
The device is currently at a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4. The researchers have validated the effectiveness of the kit through laboratory-level experiments. The technology is protected by a patent.
Benefits:
- Fast results: The method allows determining the sex of senegalese sole in approximately one hour.
- High specificity: The method is highly specific because it uses four primers designed to recognize six different regions of the target DNA, significantly reducing the likelihood of incorrect results.
- Use outside specialized laboratories: Thanks to the simplicity of the required equipment, the method is easy to transport and can be used outside a laboratory setting.
- Direct benefits for aquaculture: The invention enables early sex identification before individuals reach sexual maturity.
The purpose of this contact is to obtain commercial feedback on the technology to align its development with market needs. In addition, the aim is to establish a collaboration that could lead to the commercial exploitation of the presented invention.
Institution: Universidad de Cádiz
TRL: 4
Protection Status: Patent protected
Contacto: Ana de la Cruz / a.cruz@viromii.com