Scottish Government

A key priority for Marine Scotland Science (MSS) is to prevent the introduction and spread of serious aquatic diseases in Scotland, as well as investigating and diagnosing unexplained mortalities.

MSS is able to provide a commercial advice and diagnostic service for the diagnosis, surveillance and screening of fish, shellfish and crustacean diseases and pathogens, which it does for the aquaculture industry and associated service providers, District Salmon Fishery Boards, Fishery Trusts, Academics and other stakeholders who own or have a responsibility in relation to animals.

This includes:

• a suite of diagnostic laboratories specialising in bacteriology, histopathology, immunology, molecular genetics, parasitology and virology
• the capacity to sequence DNA and RNA of isolates and perform genotyping and phylogenetic analysis
• a standardised approach to diagnostic sampling and testing by prioritising analytical methods based on scientific knowledge (Specificity [Sp] & Sensitivity [Se] testing)
• commercial screening of samples as requested (see below)
• National Reference Laboratory Functions (NRL)