Proteomic analysis of disease in Sydney rock oysters

In this chapter we discuss the role of proteomics in bivalves with primary focus on Sydney rock oysters, which are a local delicacy of Australia much loved by oyster connoisseurs and are farmed predominantly along the eastern coast of NSW. A large part of the aquaculture industry in Australia is contributed by oysters and since Sydney rock oysters are native to Australia, they are an indispensable part of the industry. The Sydney rock oyster differs from its counterpart, the Pacific oyster, in many ways, and the uniqueness of this oyster variety makes it even more valuable for the Australian economy. Recently, environmental and anthropogenic impact coupled with certain diseases have negatively impacted the oyster industry heavily. In recent decades, scientists have relied on selective breeding to keep the impact of such diseases under control. However, with advancements in proteomic and genomic sequencing technologies, efforts are now being made to understand the underlying mechanisms of disease resistance. This chapter discusses ways in which different stressors affect the proteome of oysters, and the different proteomics approaches that have been used in investigations undertaken to address these issues.