International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
TUN5032
AquaVac-ir Project
The IAEA Technical Cooperation Project TUN5032 (2022–2025), also known as AquaVac-ir, has a primary goal of establishing a nationally certified pipeline for the production of aquaculture vaccines by irradiation in Tunisia. This comprehensive project comprises five distinct processes, each introducing innovative strategies to transform the development and implementation of aquaculture vaccines. Collectively, the AquaVac-ir Project represents a groundbreaking shift in aquaculture vaccine development through its five inventive processes. This initiative marks a significant leap forward in the field of aquatic health and vaccine manufacturing.
Moreover, the IAEA Technical Cooperation Project TUN5032 (AquaVac-ir) supports several United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through its innovative approach to aquaculture vaccine development.
Nadia CHERIF (INSTM; Process 1 — Virus production and titration, fish immunity and fish experiments in general)
Balkiss BOUHAOUALA-ZAHAR (IPT; Process 2 — Virus-like particles (VLPs) development)
Haïtham SGHAIER (CNSTN; Process 3 — Lethal viral irradiation with preserving immunogenicity)
Ridha BOUALLEGUE (Sup’Com; Process 4 — Al: Immunogenicity and reactogenicity of vaccines’ signatures prediction)
Alia BENKAHLA (IPT; Process 5 — Metabolic networks modelling)
Technical Cooperation (TC) Project CounterPart (PCP): Haïtham SGHAIER (CNSTN)
Co-Technical Officer (Co-TO): Richard Thiga KANGETHE (Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture in Vienna)
Technical Officer (TO): Viskam WIJEWARDANA (Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture in Vienna)
Programme Management Officer (PMO): Adeline DJEUTIE (IAEA)
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
Sebastian ULBERT, PhD; Deputy Director; Head Department of Vaccines and Infection Models; Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology; Perlickstr. 1, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
Viskam WIJEWARDANA, PhD; Animal Production and Health Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), IAEA Laboratories, Seibersdorf, Austria.
Anna Toffan, DVM PhD; Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe), OIE Reference Laboratory for Viral Encephalopathy and Retinopathy (VER); Viale dell’Università 10, 35020 Legnaro (Padova), Italy.
Date: November 9th, 2022.
Carthage Thalasso Resort Hotel, Gammarth, Tunisia.
Date: November 9th, 2022. Tunisia.
Mrs. Adeline DJEUTIE, PMO, Africa Section 3, Division for Africa, Department of Technical Cooperation, IAEA.
Prof. Issay NARUMI, Faculty of Life Sciences, Toyo University, Itakura, Gunma, Japan & Graduate School of Life Sciences, Toyo University, Itakura, Gunma, Japan.
Dr. Richard Thiga KANGETHE, Animal Production and Health Laboratory, Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, International Atomic Energy Agency IAEA, Vienna, Austria.
Artificial Intelligence: For Prediction of Vaccine Immunogenicity and Reactogenicity.
Sup’Com, November 9th, 2023. Tunisia.
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IAEA TUN5032 AquaVac-ir Project 
& Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Alignment
Enhances sustainable aquaculture for food security and improved nutrition.
Reduces aquatic diseases, supporting healthier ecosystems and mitigating zoonotic risks.
Advances scientific research and industrial innovation in vaccine production.
Promotes sustainable aquaculture practices and environmentally safe vaccine methods.
Protects marine ecosystems by ensuring the health of aquatic organisms.
Strengthens global and regional collaborations for sustainable aquaculture.