Molecular Biology: How to Detect Pathogens in Aquaculture
Learn PCR-based pathogen detection for shrimp and aquaculture health
Molecular Biology: How to Detect Pathogens in Aquaculture is an online course offered by Taipei Medical University that introduces laboratory workflows for identifying infectious agents in farmed shrimp and other aquatic species. It focuses on practical skills in nucleic‑acid extraction, cDNA synthesis and PCR‑based pathogen detection.
The course emphasises hands‑on competency through concise videos, guided practical activities and assessments that support applied learning in a laboratory context. Students, laboratory technicians and aquaculture practitioners who want to strengthen diagnostic workflows and qRT‑PCR interpretation will find the material directly applicable to disease surveillance and control.
At a Glance
Molecular Biology: How to Detect Pathogens in Aquaculture is an online course from Taipei Medical University that introduces laboratory methods for identifying pathogens in farmed shrimp.
It covers shrimp anatomy, nucleic acid extraction, cDNA synthesis and PCR-based detection, plus practical guidance on tissue collection and result reporting.
| Level | Intermediate |
| Rating | 4.6 out of 5 |
| Duration |
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| Languages | English |
| Learners | 1K+ learners |
| Certificate | Digital certificate when eligible |
| Access |
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| Course includes |
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| Price | Free to join with an optional paid upgrade; also available through FutureLearn subscription or one-time upgrade |
What This Course Teaches
The course frames outcomes as measurable laboratory competencies focused on sample handling, nucleic acid workflows, and PCR-based pathogen detection in farmed shrimp.
By course end learners should be able to perform shrimp dissection and tissue collection, execute and interpret DNA/RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis, and implement PCR and qRT-PCR protocols to detect and quantify pathogens.
How the Course Is Structured
The course is organised into six modules delivered over four weeks with an estimated 2 hours of study per week, combining short videos, readings and practical activities into a weekly sequence.
Modules progress from an introduction to aquaculture disease identification through tissue collection and nucleic‑acid workflows, then advance to PCR and qRT‑PCR topics before closing with an assessment and course feedback.
Curriculum overview
01Aquaculture pathogen detection and disease identification▾
Introduces the importance of identifying diseases in farmed aquatic species and outlines common clinical signs and disease categories.
02Anatomy of white shrimp▾
Covers shrimp dissection techniques and procedures for chromosomal DNA extraction from shrimp tissues intended for PCR analysis.
03RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis▾
Explains methods for total RNA extraction from shrimp tissues and the reverse transcription steps required to synthesise cDNA for downstream assays.
04Exploring PCR Techniques▾
Introduces standard PCR workflows, thermal control considerations and amplification strategies to obtain detectable target sequences.
05Real-time PCR primer design▾
Covers principles of primer design and assay setup for real‑time qPCR to reduce false positives and improve result reliability.
06Assessment time and course feedback▾
Final review, instructions for the course test and an invitation to provide feedback on the learning experience.
- Final test for Certificate of Achievement eligibility
- Course feedback submission
Audience & Requirements
The course is aimed at learners who want practical understanding of molecular methods used to detect pathogens in aquaculture, with particular relevance to those involved in shrimp health and diagnostic workflows.
It is most useful for students, laboratory technicians, researchers and aquaculture health professionals seeking applied familiarity with tissue collection, nucleic‑acid processing and PCR/qRT‑PCR interpretation.
- Undergraduate or graduate students in biology, biotechnology, or related life sciences.
- Laboratory technicians and early‑career researchers working with aquatic species or veterinary diagnostics.
- Aquaculture health managers and farm technicians responsible for disease monitoring and biosecurity.
- Researchers and practitioners seeking practical knowledge of PCR and qRT‑PCR workflows for pathogen detection.
- Basic background in molecular or cellular biology (recommended).
- Familiarity with standard laboratory safety and basic handling techniques.
- Access to a molecular biology laboratory or supervised practical facility if you plan to practise hands‑on procedures.
Note: The course description positions the class as open to anyone, but the Intermediate level and the syllabus content indicate prior biology knowledge or supervised lab access will substantially improve the ability to follow and apply the practical procedures taught.
Final Verdict
For learners seeking focused, practical training in molecular detection of aquaculture pathogens, this course is a compact and well‑structured option from an established university provider. It is best suited to biology students, laboratory technicians and aquaculture practitioners who have some foundational knowledge or access to a supervised lab and want hands‑on PCR/qRT‑PCR skills.
Given its positive reception, learner engagement and the option to obtain a verified digital certificate, the course represents sensible value for applied upskilling; casual learners can trial the free access while professionals who need formal recognition should consider the paid upgrade or subscription. Cost‑conscious learners should compare the one‑time upgrade against subscription access depending on whether they plan to take additional courses on the platform.
