Bahiyah Azli

Across the world, poultry farms are the heartbeat of food security. Yet they are constantly threatened by viral outbreaks that can wipe out entire flocks in days. From Fowl Adenovirus to Avian Influenza Virus, these viruses evolve quickly, often outsmarting current developed traditional vaccines. In response, scientists are turning to bioinformatics, the science of using computers to read and interpret genetic code in order to understand, predict, and stop diseases before they spread. What once took months in the lab can now be analysed in days through genome sequencing and data modelling. For example, Malaysian researchers recently decoded the full genome of local Fowl Adenovirus serotype 8b (FAdV-8b) isolates known as UPM04217 (1) and UPMT221 (2), uncovering unique mutations that could explain its changing virulence pattern. Such discoveries are like reading a virus’s “blueprint,” helping scientists design smarter vaccines.

These digital tools are also transforming how outbreaks are tracked. In 2021, a Malaysian study analyzed another FAdV-8b strain (UPM/FAdV/420/2017) using bioinformatics and confirmed its classification under species FAdV-E, which reveals that infections spread more severely through intramuscular routes than oral ones (3). Insights like these are critical for improving farm-level biosecurity. Meanwhile, a 2024 comparative genomics study involving over 40 Mycoplasma genomes identified shared virulence genes and metabolic pathways, paving the way for more universal poultry vaccines (4). Together, these studies show how bioinformatics is turning raw DNA data into actionable health strategies for the poultry industry.

The newest frontier in this field combines bioinformatics with artificial intelligence (AI). AI-driven models can now process massive datasets, from weather trends to migratory bird routes in order to predict where avian influenza or other diseases might strike next. Previously, researcher from Denmark had reveal a seasonal shift in transmission of highlight pathogenic avian influenza from seven-years long surveillance data within nine European countries (5). The authors highlighted that the next crucial step is to integrate ecological and climatic models with real-time genomic data to improve early-warning systems. In parallel, scientists are applying AI-assisted reverse vaccinology to design promising multi-epitope vaccines for avian rotavirus in record time (6). This integration of big data and biology is making disease prevention faster, cheaper, and more precise than ever before.

In short, bioinformatics is more than just a research tool. It’s the foundation for next-generation poultry health innovation, not only advances Malaysia’s vaccine technology but also supports global goals in sustainable, precision livestock health. With every genome decoded and every algorithm refined, we move one step closer to a world where data, defines the future of poultry farming.

1. Mat Isa N, Mohd Ayob J, Ravi S, Mustapha NA, Ashari KS, Bejo MH, et al. Complete genome sequence of fowl adenovirus-8b UPM04217 isolate associated with the inclusion body hepatitis disease in commercial broiler chickens in Malaysia reveals intermediate evolution. VirusDisease [Internet]. 2019 Sep 3;30(3):426–32. Available from: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s13337-019-00530-9
2. Azli B, Salim NF, Hair-Bejo M, Mohamed Sohaimi N, Abdul Hamid NAW, Mat Isa N. Complete genome sequence of local Malaysian Fowl adenovirus serotype 8b UPM T221 strain. Asia Pacific J Mol Biol Biotechnol [Internet]. 2024 Dec 31;94–113. Available from: https://www.msmbb.my/images/publication/volume_32/issue_4/special/08-Azli-et-al.pdf
3. Sohaimi NM, Hair-Bejo M, Omar AR, Ideris A, Isa NM. Hexon and fiber gene changes in an attenuated fowl adenovirus isolate from Malaysia in embryonated chicken eggs and its infectivity in chickens. J Vet Sci. 2018;19(6):759–70.
4. Yacoub E, Baby V, Pugnet PS, Arfi Y, Mardassi H, Blanchard A. A sweeping view of avian mycoplasmas biology drawn from comparative genomic analyses. BMC Genomics [Internet]. 2025; Available from: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-024-11201-5
5. Kjær LJ, Ward MP, Boklund AE, Larsen LE, Hjulsager CK, Kirkeby CT. Using surveillance data for early warning modelling of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Europe reveals a seasonal shift in transmission , 2016 – 2022. Sci Rep [Internet]. 2023;1–16. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-42660-7
6. Hasan M, Ahmed S, Bari R, Roy S, Hasan M, Mia M. Designing and development of efficient multi-epitope-based peptide vaccine candidate against emerging avian rotavirus strains : A vaccinomic approach. J Genet Eng Biotechnol [Internet]. 2024;22(3):100398. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jgeb.2024.100398

Date of Input: 17/11/2025 | Updated: 17/11/2025 | azah