Investigating marine mass mortality using rapid nucleic acid sequencing and artificial intelligence
Hewson, I.; Rede, J. (2026). Investigating marine mass mortality using rapid nucleic acid sequencing and artificial intelligence, in: Byers, J.E. et al. The ecology and evolution of marine parasites and disease. Ecology and evolution of infectious diseases series, : pp. 15-36. https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/9780197790847.003.0003
In: Byers, J.E.; Blakeslee, A.M.H.; Wares, J.P. (Ed.) (2026). The ecology and evolution of marine parasites and disease. Ecology and evolution of infectious diseases series. Oxford University Press: New York. ISBN 9780197790809. 376 pp. https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/9780197790847.001.0001, more
In: Ecology and evolution of infectious diseases series. Oxford University Press: New York. , more
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| Keywords |
Diseases
Pathogens
Virulence
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| Author keywords |
disease, high-throughput sequencing, artificial intelligence, |
| Abstract |
Mass mortality events are becoming more frequent in the Anthropocene due to heightened host stress, increased pathogen virulence, and other factors influencing pathogen–host interactions. At the same time, advances in diagnostic methods, particularly molecular approaches, have significantly improved the identification of candidate disease agents. However, the transition from traditional microscopy and culture-based methods to culture-independent approaches, together with their increased accessibility, introduces risks of misattribution since functional plasticity can lead to spurious associations with disease. This review begins with an overview of bacterial diversity, physiology, and pathogenesis and provides examples from marine disease phenomena. It then critically examines current and emerging methodologies for studying marine disease etiology, including microbial cultivation strategies, nucleic acid sequencing techniques, and artificial intelligence applications. The authors highlight the potential of these approaches while addressing their limitations, offering insights into future directions for disease ecology research in marine environments. |
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