Dr Albert Caballero Solares

Lecturer in Aquaculture Nutrition

Institute of Aquaculture Stirling

Dr Albert Caballero Solares

Contact details

About me

My research focuses on generating knowledge and tools to accelerate the development of novel, sustainable, growth and health-promoting feeds for fish aquaculture. My PhD work (University of Barcelona; 2009-2015) has contributed to improving our understanding of carbohydrate and protein metabolism in gilthead seabream and European seabass using molecular (e.g., gene silencing) and dietary (experimental feeds) approaches. These results provided insights into feed formulations that optimise dietary protein retention, thus reducing nitrogenous waste release into the environment, and enhancing growth in these important fish species for Mediterranean aquaculture. During my postdoctoral research (Memorial University; 2015-2023), I evaluated sustainable sources of nutrients and additives to support growth and health in farmed Atlantic salmon by integrating transcriptomics (e.g., microarrays) with fish production-relevant results (e.g., growth, fillet lipid composition). My findings indicate that the dietary replacement of marine ingredients with terrestrial alternatives has physiological effects applicable to disease control in salmon aquaculture. I also characterised the gene expression response of salmon to poorly studied infectious diseases and co-infection, a crucial first step towards developing infection/disease mitigation strategies. Now, as lecturer in aquaculture nutrition, I continue to build on this work to help the aquaculture industry grow sustainably to satisfy the food demand of a growing human population while ensuring fish health and welfare

My research interests focus on generating knowledge and tools to accelerate the development of novel sustainable growth and health-promoting feeds for fish aquaculture.

Outputs (35)

Article

Characterization of the impact of dietary immunostimulant CpG on the expression of mRNA biomarkers involved in the immune responses in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

Xue X, Eslamloo K, Caballero-Solares A, Katan T, Umasuthan N, Taylor RG, Fast MD, Andreassen R & Rise ML (2024) Characterization of the impact of dietary immunostimulant CpG on the expression of mRNA biomarkers involved in the immune responses in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Fish & Shellfish Immunology, 153, Art. No.: 109840. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsi.2024.109840

Article

Synergies of co-infecting pathogens, sea lice (Lepeophetheirus salmonis) and Moritella viscosa, are impacted by exposure order, and host response to initial infection

Cai W, Zhong L, Parrish K, Kumar S, Eslamloo K, Fajei E, Whyte SK, Purcell SL, Jahangiri L, Li R, Solares AC, Taylor RG, Balder R, Rise ML & Fast MD (2024) Synergies of co-infecting pathogens, sea lice (Lepeophetheirus salmonis) and Moritella viscosa, are impacted by exposure order, and host response to initial infection. Aquaculture, 591, Art. No.: 741115. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2024.741115

Article

An aquaculture risk model to understand the causes and consequences of Atlantic Salmon mass mortality events: A review

Sajid Z, Gamperl AK, Parrish CC, Colombo SM, Santander J, Mather C, Neis B, Holmen IM, Filgueira R, McKenzie CH, Cavalli LS, Jeebhay M, Gao W, López Gómez MA & Caballero‐Solares A (2024) An aquaculture risk model to understand the causes and consequences of Atlantic Salmon mass mortality events: A review. Reviews in Aquaculture, 16 (4), pp. 1674-1695. https://doi.org/10.1111/raq.12917

Article

Transcriptomic response of lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) head kidney to viral mimic, with a focus on the interferon regulatory factor family

Emam M, Kumar S, Eslamloo K, Caballero-Solares A, Hall JR, Xue X, Paradis H, Gendron RL, Santander J & Rise ML (2024) Transcriptomic response of lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) head kidney to viral mimic, with a focus on the interferon regulatory factor family. Frontiers in Immunology, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2024.1439465

Article

Interacting Effects of Sea Louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) Infection and Formalin-Killed Aeromonas salmonicida on Atlantic Salmon Skin Transcriptome

Caballero-Solares A, Umasuthan N, Xue X, Katan T, Kumar S, Westcott JD, Chen Z, Fast MD, Skugor S, Taylor RG & Rise ML (2024) Interacting Effects of Sea Louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) Infection and Formalin-Killed Aeromonas salmonicida on Atlantic Salmon Skin Transcriptome. Frontiers in Immunology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2022.804987

Article

Transcriptome Analysis of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) Skin in Response to Sea Lice and Infectious Salmon Anemia Virus Co-Infection Under Different Experimental Functional Diets

Cai W, Kumar S, Navaneethaiyer U, Caballero-Solares A, Carvalho LA, Whyte SK, Purcell SL, Gagne N, Hori TS, Allen M, Taylor RG, Balder R, Parrish CC, Rise ML & Fast MD (2022) Transcriptome Analysis of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) Skin in Response to Sea Lice and Infectious Salmon Anemia Virus Co-Infection Under Different Experimental Functional Diets. Frontiers in Immunology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2021.787033

Article

Influence of Varying Dietary ω6 to ω3 Fatty Acid Ratios on the Hepatic Transcriptome, and Association with Phenotypic Traits (Growth, Somatic Indices, and Tissue Lipid Composition), in Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar)

Katan T, Xue X, Caballero-Solares A, Taylor RG, Parrish CC & Rise ML (2021) Influence of Varying Dietary ω6 to ω3 Fatty Acid Ratios on the Hepatic Transcriptome, and Association with Phenotypic Traits (Growth, Somatic Indices, and Tissue Lipid Composition), in Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar). Biology, 10 (7), Art. No.: 578. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology10070578

Article

Transcriptome Profiling of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) Parr With Higher and Lower Pathogen Loads Following Piscirickettsia salmonis Infection

Xue X, Caballero-Solares A, Hall J, Umasuthan N, Kumar S, Jakob E, Skugor S, Hawes C, Santander J, Taylor RG & Rise ML (2021) Transcriptome Profiling of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar) Parr With Higher and Lower Pathogen Loads Following Piscirickettsia salmonis Infection. Frontiers in Immunology, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2021.789465

Article

Effects of Varying Dietary Docosahexaenoic, Eicosapentaenoic, Linoleic, and α-Linolenic Acid Levels on Fatty Acid Composition of Phospholipids and Neutral Lipids in the Liver of Atlantic Salmon, Salmo salar

Mohammad Ali Jalali S, Parrish CC, Caballero-Solares A, Rise ML & Taylor RG (2021) Effects of Varying Dietary Docosahexaenoic, Eicosapentaenoic, Linoleic, and α-Linolenic Acid Levels on Fatty Acid Composition of Phospholipids and Neutral Lipids in the Liver of Atlantic Salmon, Salmo salar. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 69 (9), pp. 2697-2710. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jafc.0c05182

Article

Influence of Dietary Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and ω6 to ω3 Ratios on Head Kidney Lipid Composition and Expression of Fatty Acid and Eicosanoid Metabolism Genes in Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar)

Katan T, Xue X, Caballero-Solares A, Taylor RG, Rise ML & Parrish CC (2020) Influence of Dietary Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and ω6 to ω3 Ratios on Head Kidney Lipid Composition and Expression of Fatty Acid and Eicosanoid Metabolism Genes in Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar). Frontiers in Molecular Biosciences, 7. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmolb.2020.602587

Article

Transcriptomic Profiling in Fins of Atlantic Salmon Parasitized with Sea Lice: Evidence for an Early Imbalance Between Chalimus-Induced Immunomodulation and the Host’s Defense Response

Umasuthan N, Xue X, Caballero-Solares A, Kumar S, Westcott JD, Chen Z, Fast MD, Skugor S, Nowak BF, Rise ML & Taylor RG (2020) Transcriptomic Profiling in Fins of Atlantic Salmon Parasitized with Sea Lice: Evidence for an Early Imbalance Between Chalimus-Induced Immunomodulation and the Host’s Defense Response. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21 (7), p. 2417. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21072417

Article

Interaction between ω 6 and ω 3 fatty acids of different chain lengths regulates Atlantic salmon hepatic gene expression and muscle fatty acid profiles

Emam M, Katan T, Caballero-Solares A, Taylor RG, Parrish KS, Rise ML & Parrish CC (2020) Interaction between ω 6 and ω 3 fatty acids of different chain lengths regulates Atlantic salmon hepatic gene expression and muscle fatty acid profiles. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 375 (1804), Art. No.: 20190648. https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2019.0648

Article

Liver Transcriptome Profiling Reveals That Dietary DHA and EPA Levels Influence Suites of Genes Involved in Metabolism, Redox Homeostasis, and Immune Function in Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar)

Xue X, Hall JR, Caballero-Solares A, Eslamloo K, Taylor RG, Parrish CC & Rise M (2020) Liver Transcriptome Profiling Reveals That Dietary DHA and EPA Levels Influence Suites of Genes Involved in Metabolism, Redox Homeostasis, and Immune Function in Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar). Marine Biotechnology, 22, pp. 263-284. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10126-020-09950-x

Article

Impact of rearing temperature on the innate antiviral immune response of growth hormone transgenic female triploid Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

Ignatz EH, Braden LM, Benfey TJ, Caballero-Solares A, Hori TS, Runighan CD, Fast MD, Westcott JD & Rise ML (2020) Impact of rearing temperature on the innate antiviral immune response of growth hormone transgenic female triploid Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Fish & Shellfish Immunology, 97, pp. 656-668. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsi.2019.12.081

Article

Effect of plant-based diets with varying ratios of ω6 to ω3 fatty acids on growth performance, tissue composition, fatty acid biosynthesis and lipid-related gene expression in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

Katan T, Caballero-Solares A, Taylor RG, Rise ML & Parrish CC (2019) Effect of plant-based diets with varying ratios of ω6 to ω3 fatty acids on growth performance, tissue composition, fatty acid biosynthesis and lipid-related gene expression in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part D: Genomics and Proteomics, 30, pp. 290-304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbd.2019.03.004

Article

Changes in the liver transcriptome of farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fed experimental diets based on terrestrial alternatives to fish meal and fish oil

Caballero-Solares A, Xue X, Parrish CC, Foroutani MB, Taylor RG & Rise ML (2018) Changes in the liver transcriptome of farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) fed experimental diets based on terrestrial alternatives to fish meal and fish oil. BMC Genomics, 19, Art. No.: 796. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-018-5188-6

Article

A transcriptomic approach to study the effect of long-term starvation and diet composition on the expression of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation genes in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata)

Silva-Marrero JI, Sáez A, Caballero-Solares A, Viegas I, Almajano MP, Fernández F, Baanante IV & Metón I (2017) A transcriptomic approach to study the effect of long-term starvation and diet composition on the expression of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation genes in gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata). BMC Genomics, 18 (1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-017-4148-x

Article

The dietary replacement of marine ingredients by terrestrial animal and plant alternatives modulates the antiviral immune response of Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar )

Caballero-Solares A, Hall JR, Xue X, Eslamloo K, Taylor RG, Parrish CC & Rise ML (2017) The dietary replacement of marine ingredients by terrestrial animal and plant alternatives modulates the antiviral immune response of Atlantic salmon ( Salmo salar ). Fish & Shellfish Immunology, 64, pp. 24-38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsi.2017.02.040

Article

Effect of dietary macronutrients on the expression of cholecystokinin, leptin, ghrelin and neuropeptide Y in gilthead sea bream ( Sparus aurata )

Babaei S, Sáez A, Caballero-Solares A, Fernández F, Baanante IV & Metón I (2017) Effect of dietary macronutrients on the expression of cholecystokinin, leptin, ghrelin and neuropeptide Y in gilthead sea bream ( Sparus aurata ). General and Comparative Endocrinology, 240, pp. 121-128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ygcen.2016.10.003

Article

Diets supplemented with glutamate or glutamine improve protein retention and modulate gene expression of key enzymes of hepatic metabolism in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) juveniles

Caballero-Solares A, Viegas I, Salgado MC, Siles AM, Sáez A, Metón I, Baanante IV & Fernández F (2015) Diets supplemented with glutamate or glutamine improve protein retention and modulate gene expression of key enzymes of hepatic metabolism in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) juveniles. Aquaculture, 444, pp. 79-87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2015.03.025

Article

Expressional regulation of key hepatic enzymes of intermediary metabolism in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) during food deprivation and refeeding

Viegas I, Caballero-Solares A, Rito J, Giralt M, Pardal MA, Metón I, Jones JG & Baanante IV (2014) Expressional regulation of key hepatic enzymes of intermediary metabolism in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) during food deprivation and refeeding. Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology, 174, pp. 38-44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpa.2014.04.004

Article

Effects of alanine aminotransferase inhibition on the intermediary metabolism inSparus auratathrough dietary amino-oxyacetate supplementation

González JD, Caballero A, Viegas I, Metón I, Jones JG, Barra J, Fernández F & Baanante IV (2012) Effects of alanine aminotransferase inhibition on the intermediary metabolism inSparus auratathrough dietary amino-oxyacetate supplementation. British Journal of Nutrition, 107 (12), pp. 1747-1756. https://doi.org/10.1017/s000711451100496x

Teaching

I currently coordinate and teach the module AQUU7MM – Marine Mammals. I also contribute to teaching the following undergraduate modules: SCIU1FI – Fundamentals for Scientific Inquiry BIOU9AP – Animal Physiology AQUU6MB – Changing Oceans

and to the postgraduate module: AQUPGP1 – Aquaculture Nutrition.

Research centres/groups