Professor James Bron

Professor

Institute of Aquaculture Pathfoot Building, University of Stirling, Stirling, FK9 4LA

Professor James Bron

Contact details

About me

My original BSc training was in Zoology with Marine Zoology (University of North Wales, Bangor), followed by an MSc in Bioarchaeology (sp. Zooarchaeology) (Institute of Archaeology, University College London). More than 30 yrs ago (1987) I came up to Scotland to the University of Stirling's Institute of Aquaculture to undertake my PhD studies and have been here ever since. My PhD on sea lice, copepod ectoparasites of marine salmonids which comprise a major constraint to sustainable Atlantic salmon aquaculture, was funded by the aquaculture producer Marine Harvest (now Mowi). This PhD was followed by a Scottish Salmon Grower’s Association (now Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation) research project on the population dynamics of sea lice on Scottish farms. I have worked continuously on sea lice since that time, on a range of key parasite, viral and bacterial pathogens of cultured finfish over the last 30+ years and on amoebic gill disease (AGD) for the past six years. My background is highly multi-disciplinary, and my areas of interest and research have included aquatic parasitology; finfish health and welfare; image analysis; light, fluorescence, confocal, SEM and TEM microscopy; modelling of disease; zoonotic disease; functional feeds; vaccine development; development of novel medicinal and non-medicinal treatments; investigating engineering solutions to disease; and selection for genetic resistance to disease. Funding down the years has been obtained from BBSRC, BBSRC/NERC, Wellcome Trust, EU Horizon 2020, EU Horizon Europe, Sustainable Aquaculture Innovation Centre, Innovate UK, Scottish Government, Norwegian Fisheries Fund, European Institute of Technology and Defra LINK amongst others. Most of my research has had an applied aspect and has been conducted in close collaboration with industry, often with other UK and international academics and with government scientists. I am currently Professor of Aquatic Animal Health and head of the Institute of Aquaculture's Aquatic Parasitology Research Group.

aquatic parasitology; sea lice; finfish health and welfare; image analysis; light, fluorescence, confocal, SEM and TEM microscopy; modelling of disease; zoonotic disease; functional feeds; vaccine development; development of novel medicinal and non-medicinal treatments; investigating engineering solutions to disease; selection for genetic resistance to disease

Research projects (18)

CLEANGAIN: Improved welfare and delousing of farmed cleaner fish
PI: Dr Adam Brooker
Funded by: Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre and Loch Duart Ltd
–

ROBUST-SMOLT Impact of Early Life History in Freshwater Recirculation Aquaculture Systems on A. Salmon Robustness and Susceptibility to Disease at Sea
PI: Professor Herve Migaud
Funded by: Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
–

Pulcea KTP
PI: Professor James Bron
Funded by: Innovate UK and Pulcea
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Genomic breeding for gill health and lice resistance in salmon: Towards a step improvement in accuracy and affordability
PI: Professor James Bron
Funded by: Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre
–

ParaFishControl - Advanced Tools and Research Strategies for Parasite Control in European farmed fish
PI: Professor James Bron
Funded by: European Commission (Horizon 2020)
–

Technical considerations of closed containment sea pen production for some life stages of salmonids
PI: Mr John Bostock
Funded by: Scottish Aquaculture Research Forum
–

Identifying molecular determinants of drug susceptibility in salmon lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis)
PI:
Funded by: Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
–

Identifying molecular determinants of drug susceptibility in salmon lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis)
PI: Dr Armin Sturm
Funded by: Salmon Scotland Ltd
–

SAIC Equipment Award
PI:
Funded by: Scottish Aquaculture Innovation Centre
–

SARF 104: Sea Lice Research Feasibility Study – SARF Board Paper relating to SARF101
PI: Professor James Bron
Funded by: Scottish Aquaculture Research Forum
–

Dissecting structural and functional genomic factors underlying the resistance of the Atlantic salmon fry to infectious pancreatic necrosis
PI: Professor James Bron
Funded by: Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
–

Development of a risk evaluation system for the establishment of Gyrodactylus salaris in English and Welsh river systems
PI:
Funded by: Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs
–

BENEFISH
PI:
Funded by: European Commission (Horizon 2020)
–

A survey of Anisakis and Pseudoterranova in Scottish Fisheries and the Efficacy of Current Detection Methods
PI:
Funded by: Food Standards Agency
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Estimating transmission parameters of Gyrodactylus: a key requirement for contingency planning
PI:
Funded by: Department for Environment Food & Rural Affairs
–

To produce a validated SOP for the rapid identification of Gyrodactylus salaris & its accurate discrimination from other species of Gyradactylus found, principally on
PI:
Funded by: FRS Marine Laboratory and Centre for Enviroment, Fisheries & Aquaculture
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A Chemotherapy Trial
PI:
Funded by: Novartis Animal Health Canada Inc
–

Population structure in the ciliate fish pathogen ichtyophthirius multifilliid (ciliophora) and its impact upon the host parasite interaction
PI: Professor James Bron
Funded by: The Fisheries Society of the British Isles
–

Outputs (152)

Showing 100 of 152 — See all 152 outputs

Book Chapter

Global Aquaculture systems

Norman R, Chivite Alcalde M, Bron J, Burke M, Crumlish M, Gheyas A, Little D, Malcorps W, Moss A, Newton R & Pounds A (2024) Global Aquaculture systems. In: Alexander P (ed.) Encyclopedia of Agriculture and Food Systems. 3 ed. Elsevier. https://shop.elsevier.com/books/encyclopedia-of-agriculture-and-food-systems/alexander/978-0-443-15976-3

Article

Investigating the impacts of H(2)O(2) treatment on gills of healthy Atlantic salmon reveals potential changes to mucus production with implications on immune activity

Fernandez-Senac C, Monaghan SJ, Mascolo D, Baily JL, Betancor M, Chalmers L, Paladini G, Adams A, Fridman S & Bron JE (2022) Investigating the impacts of H(2)O(2) treatment on gills of healthy Atlantic salmon reveals potential changes to mucus production with implications on immune activity. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 128, pp. 74-81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsi.2022.06.063

Article

Assessment of marine gill disease in farmed atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in chile using a novel total gross gill scoring system: A case study

Fridman S, Tsairidou S, Jayasuriya N, Sobolewska H, Hamilton A, Lobos C, Houston RD, Rodger H, Bron J & Herath T (2021) Assessment of marine gill disease in farmed atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in chile using a novel total gross gill scoring system: A case study. Microorganisms, 9 (12), Art. No.: 2605. https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms9122605

Article

Illuminating the planktonic stages of salmon lice: A unique fluorescence signal for rapid identification of a rare copepod in zooplankton assemblages

Thompson CRS, Bron JE, Bui S, Dalvin S, Fordyce MJ, Furmanek T, Á Norði G & Skern-Mauritzen R (2021) Illuminating the planktonic stages of salmon lice: A unique fluorescence signal for rapid identification of a rare copepod in zooplankton assemblages. Journal of Fish Diseases, 44 (7), pp. 863-879. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfd.13345

Article

Investigation of deltamethrin resistance in salmon lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) provides no evidence for roles of mutations in voltage-gated sodium channels

Tschesche C, Bekaert M, Bassett DI, Mitchell C, North B, Boyd S, Carmona‐Antoñanzas G, Bron JE & Sturm A (2021) Investigation of deltamethrin resistance in salmon lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) provides no evidence for roles of mutations in voltage-gated sodium channels. Pest Management Science, 77 (2), pp. 1052-1060. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.6120

Article

Identification of proteins from the secretory/excretory products (SEPs) of the branchiuran ectoparasite Argulus foliaceus (Linnaeus, 1758) reveals unique secreted proteins amongst haematophagous ecdysozoa

AmbuAli A, Monaghan SJ, McLean K, Inglis NF, Bekaert M, Wehner S & Bron JE (2020) Identification of proteins from the secretory/excretory products (SEPs) of the branchiuran ectoparasite Argulus foliaceus (Linnaeus, 1758) reveals unique secreted proteins amongst haematophagous ecdysozoa. Parasites and Vectors, 13 (1), Art. No.: 88. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-020-3964-z

Article

miRNAs Predicted to Regulate Host Anti-viral Gene Pathways in IPNV-Challenged Atlantic Salmon Fry Are Affected by Viral Load, and Associated With the Major IPN Resistance QTL Genotypes in Late Infection

Woldemariam NT, Agafonov O, Sindre H, Høyheim B, Houston RD, Robledo D, Bron JE & Andreassen R (2020) miRNAs Predicted to Regulate Host Anti-viral Gene Pathways in IPNV-Challenged Atlantic Salmon Fry Are Affected by Viral Load, and Associated With the Major IPN Resistance QTL Genotypes in Late Infection. Frontiers in Immunology, 11, Art. No.: 2113. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2020.02113

Article

A comparison of the use of different swab materials for optimal diagnosis of amoebic gill disease (AGD) in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.)

Fernandez‐Senac C, Fridman S, Sokolowska J, Monaghan SJ, Garzon T, Betancor M, Paladini G, Adams A & Bron JE (2020) A comparison of the use of different swab materials for optimal diagnosis of amoebic gill disease (AGD) in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.). Journal of Fish Diseases, 43 (11), pp. 1463-1472. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfd.13243

Article

Production, mortality, and infectivity of planktonic larval sea lice, Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Krøyer, 1837): current knowledge and implications for epidemiological modelling

Brooker A, Skern-Mauritzen R & Bron J (2018) Production, mortality, and infectivity of planktonic larval sea lice, Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Krøyer, 1837): current knowledge and implications for epidemiological modelling. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 75 (4), pp. 1214-1234. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsy015

Article

Maternal inheritance of deltamethrin resistance in the salmon louse Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Krøyer) is associated with unique mtDNA haplotypes

Carmona-Antoñanzas G, Bekaert M, Humble JL, Boyd S, Roy W, Bassett DI, Houston RD, Gharbi K, Bron JE & Sturm A (2017) Maternal inheritance of deltamethrin resistance in the salmon louse Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Krøyer) is associated with unique mtDNA haplotypes. PLoS ONE, 12 (7), Art. No.: e0180625. http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0180625; https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0180625

Article

A novel use of social media to evaluate the occurrence of skin lesions affecting wild dusky grouper, Epinephelus marginatus (Lowe, 1834), in Libyan coastal waters

Rizgalla J, Shinn A, Ferguson H, Paladini G, Jayasuriya NS & Bron J (2017) A novel use of social media to evaluate the occurrence of skin lesions affecting wild dusky grouper, Epinephelus marginatus (Lowe, 1834), in Libyan coastal waters. Journal of Fish Diseases, 40 (5), pp. 609-620. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfd.12540

Article

An assessment of the potential for zoonotic parasitic nematode infections arising from the consumption of maricultured Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus (L.), and rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), in Scotland

Brooker A, Wootten R, Shinn A & Bron J (2016) An assessment of the potential for zoonotic parasitic nematode infections arising from the consumption of maricultured Atlantic halibut, Hippoglossus hippoglossus (L.), and rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), in Scotland. Food Control, 66, pp. 198-204. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodcont.2016.02.011

Article

Development, Characterisation and Application of Monoclonal Antibodies for the Detection and Quantification of Infectious Salmon Anaemia Virus in Plasma Samples Using Luminex Bead Array Technology

Hoare R, Thompson KD, Herath T, Collet B, Bron J & Adams A (2016) Development, Characterisation and Application of Monoclonal Antibodies for the Detection and Quantification of Infectious Salmon Anaemia Virus in Plasma Samples Using Luminex Bead Array Technology. PLoS ONE, 11 (7), Art. No.: e0159155. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0159155

Article

Gene expression comparison of resistant and susceptible Atlantic salmon fry challenged with Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis virus reveals a marked contrast in immune response

Robledo D, Taggart J, Ireland J, McAndrew B, Starkey W, Haley CS, Hamilton A, Guy DR, Mota-Velasco JC, Gheyas AA, Tinch AE, Verner-Jeffreys DW, Paley RK, Rimmer GSE, Tew IJ, Bishop SC, Bron J & Houston RD (2016) Gene expression comparison of resistant and susceptible Atlantic salmon fry challenged with Infectious Pancreatic Necrosis virus reveals a marked contrast in immune response. BMC Genomics, 17, Art. No.: 279. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-016-2600-y

Article

Comparing the transcriptomes of embryos from domesticated and wild Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) stocks and examining factors that influence heritability of gene expression

Bicskei B, Taggart J, Glover KA & Bron J (2016) Comparing the transcriptomes of embryos from domesticated and wild Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) stocks and examining factors that influence heritability of gene expression. Genetics Selection Evolution, 48, Art. No.: 20. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12711-016-0200-6

Article

The effects of feeding β-glucan to Pangasianodon hypophthalmus on immune gene expression and resistance to Edwardsiella ictaluri

Sirimanapong W, Thompson KD, Ooi EL, Bekaert M, Collet B, Taggart J, Bron J, Green D, Shinn A, Adams A & Leaver M (2015) The effects of feeding β-glucan to Pangasianodon hypophthalmus on immune gene expression and resistance to Edwardsiella ictaluri. Fish and Shellfish Immunology, 47 (1), pp. 595-605. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsi.2015.09.042

Presentation / Talk

Recombinant vaccine efficacy trials against infectious larval salmon lice stages following intraperitoneal immunisation of Atlantic salmon with 9 vaccine candidates

Monaghan S, McNair C, McDonald HC, Ireland J, Hamilton S, Knox D, Roy W, Thompson K, Adams A, Richards R, Smith P, Bassett DI, Matthew C, Preston AC, Groves F, Boyd S, Kanellos T, Asper D & Bron J (2015) Recombinant vaccine efficacy trials against infectious larval salmon lice stages following intraperitoneal immunisation of Atlantic salmon with 9 vaccine candidates. 10th International Sea Lice Conference, Portland, ME, USA, 31.08.2014-05.09.2014. http://sealice2014.businesscatalyst.com/assets/abstract-book-v6.2-final2.pdf

Conference Paper (published)

Use of RAD sequencing to isolate a sex-specific SNP marker in the salmonlouse Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Kroyer, 1837)

Carmichael SN, Bekaert M, Taggart J, Ireland J, Christie HRL, Bassett DI, Bron J, Skuce P, Gharbi K & Skern-Mauritzen R (2014) Use of RAD sequencing to isolate a sex-specific SNP marker in the salmonlouse Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Kroyer, 1837). In: Sea Lice 2014: The 10th International Sea Lice Conference Book of Abstracts. 10th International Sea Lice Conference, Portland, ME, USA, 31.08.2014-05.09.2014. Portland, ME, USA: Fish Vet Group, p. 54. http://sealice2014.businesscatalyst.com/assets/abstract-book-v6.2-final2.pdf

Poster

Drug susceptibility assessment of sea lice by time-to-response toxicity analysis

Carmichael SN, Christie HRL, Heumann J, Bassett DI, Bron J & Sturm A (2014) Drug susceptibility assessment of sea lice by time-to-response toxicity analysis. 10th International Sea Lice Conference, Portland, ME, USA, 31.08.2014-05.09.2014. http://sealice2014.businesscatalyst.com/assets/abstract-book-v6.2-final2.pdf

Article

Isolation and characterisation of four partial cDNA sequences encoding multidrug resistance-associated proteins (MRPs) in the salmon louse Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Krøyer, 1837)

Heumann J, Carmichael SN, Bron J & Sturm A (2014) Isolation and characterisation of four partial cDNA sequences encoding multidrug resistance-associated proteins (MRPs) in the salmon louse Lepeophtheirus salmonis (Krøyer, 1837). Aquaculture, 424-425, pp. 207-214. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2013.12.015

Article

Manipulation of farmed Atlantic salmon swimming behaviour through the adjustment of lighting and feeding regimes as a tool for salmon lice control

Frenzl B, Stien LH, Cockerill D, Oppedal F, Richards R, Shinn A, Bron J & Migaud H (2014) Manipulation of farmed Atlantic salmon swimming behaviour through the adjustment of lighting and feeding regimes as a tool for salmon lice control. Aquaculture, 424-425, pp. 183-188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2013.12.012

Article

Structural differentiation of apical openings in active mitochondria-rich cells during early life stages of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) as a response to osmotic challenge

Fridman S, Rana K & Bron J (2013) Structural differentiation of apical openings in active mitochondria-rich cells during early life stages of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) as a response to osmotic challenge. Fish Physiology and Biochemistry, 39 (5), pp. 1101-1114. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10695-012-9767-1

Article

Omanicotyle heterospina n. gen. et n. comb. (Monogenea: Microcotylidae) from the gills of Argyrops spinifer (Forsskal) (Teleostei: Sparidae) from the Sea of Oman

Yoon GH, Al-Jufaili S, Freeman M, Bron J, Paladini G & Shinn A (2013) Omanicotyle heterospina n. gen. et n. comb. (Monogenea: Microcotylidae) from the gills of Argyrops spinifer (Forsskal) (Teleostei: Sparidae) from the Sea of Oman. Parasites and Vectors, 6, Art. No.: 170. https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-3305-6-170

Article

Salmon lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) showing varying emamectin benzoate susceptibilities differ in neuronal acetylcholine receptor and GABA-gated chloride channel mRNA expression

Carmichael SN, Bron J, Taggart J, Ireland J, Bekaert M, Burgess S, Skuce P, Nisbet A, Gharbi K & Sturm A (2013) Salmon lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) showing varying emamectin benzoate susceptibilities differ in neuronal acetylcholine receptor and GABA-gated chloride channel mRNA expression. BMC Genomics, 14, Art. No.: 408. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2164-14-408

Article

Confocal scanning laser microscopy with complementary 3D image analysis allows quantitative studies of functional state of ionoregulatory cells in the nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) following salinity challenge

Fridman S, Rana K & Bron J (2013) Confocal scanning laser microscopy with complementary 3D image analysis allows quantitative studies of functional state of ionoregulatory cells in the nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) following salinity challenge. Microscopy Research and Technique, 76 (4), pp. 412-418. https://doi.org/10.1002/jemt.22181

Book Chapter

The use of ASM feature extraction and machine learning for the discrimination of members of the fish ectoparasite genus gyrodactylus

Ali R, Hussain A, Bron J & Shinn A (2012) The use of ASM feature extraction and machine learning for the discrimination of members of the fish ectoparasite genus gyrodactylus. In: Huang T, Zeng Z, Li C & Leung C (eds.) Neural Information Processing: 19th International Conference, ICONIP 2012, Doha, Qatar, November 12-15, 2012, Proceedings, Part IV. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 7666. Berlin Heidelberg: Springer, pp. 256-263. http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-34478-7_32#; https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-34478-7_32

Article

Effects of genotype and dietary fish oil replacement with vegetable oil on the intestinal transcriptome and proteome of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)

Morais S, Silva T, Cordeiro O, Rodrigues P, Guy DR, Bron J, Taggart J, Bell JG & Tocher DR (2012) Effects of genotype and dietary fish oil replacement with vegetable oil on the intestinal transcriptome and proteome of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). BMC Genomics, 13, Art. No.: 448. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2164-13-448

Article

Review of climate change impacts on marine aquaculture in the UK and Ireland

Callaway R, Shinn A, Grenfell SE, Bron J, Burnell G, Cook EE, Crumlish M, Culloty S, Davidson K, Ellis RP, Flynn KJ, Fox C, Green D, Hays GC, Hughes AD, Johnston E, Lowe CD, Lupatsch I, Malham SK, Mendzil AF, Nickell T, Pickerell T, Rowley AF, Stanley MS, Tocher DR, Turnbull J, Webb G, Wootton E & Shields RJ (2012) Review of climate change impacts on marine aquaculture in the UK and Ireland. Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 22 (3), pp. 389-421. https://doi.org/10.1002/aqc.2247

Article

Effects of long duration, low dose bronopol exposure on the control of Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ciliophora), parasitising rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum)

Picon-Camacho SM, Taylor NGH, Bron J, Guo FC & Shinn A (2012) Effects of long duration, low dose bronopol exposure on the control of Ichthyophthirius multifiliis (Ciliophora), parasitising rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss Walbaum). Veterinary Parasitology, 186 (3-4), pp. 237-244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.11.022

Conference Paper (published)

Multi-stage classification of Gyrodactylus species using machine learning and feature selection techniques

Ali R, Hussain A, Bron J & Shinn A (2011) Multi-stage classification of Gyrodactylus species using machine learning and feature selection techniques. In: Proceedings of the 2011 11th International Conference on Intelligent Systems Design and Applications. ISDA 201111th International Conference on Intelligent Systems Design and Applications (ISDA), Cordoba, Spain, 22.11.2011-24.11.2011. Piscataway, NJ, USA: IEEE, pp. 457-462. http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/freeabs_all.jsp?arnumber=6121698&abstractAccess=no&userType=inst; https://doi.org/10.1109/ISDA.2011.6121698

See all 152 outputs

Teaching

I teach at undergraduate and postgraduate levels and have also taught by distance learning and helped to provide training for Continuing Professional Development (CPD course in fish health and welfare). In addition, I also supervise a number of PhDs as first and second supervisor.

I currently teach on the following modules:

Aquatic Animal Health (MSc), Foundations of Aquatic Production (MSc), Parasites and Treatments (Module Coordinator, MSc), Aquaculture Health Control (MSc), Our Blue Planet (Undergraduate), Aquatic Environment and Disease (Undergraduate), Advanced Marine Systematics and Taxonomy (Module Coordinator, Undergraduate), Our Thirsty Planet: Man and the Aquatic Environment (Module Coordinator, Undergraduate), Aquaculture (Undergraduate), Aquaculture, Environment and Disease (Undergraduate).

Research programmes

Research centres/groups

Research themes