INSTITUTE OF MARINE RESEARCH (IMR), BERGEN.

Research discipline: Neuroendocrine regulation & puberty. Sex differentiation & reversal.
Research purpose: Puberty regulation.
Description of research: Growth physiology and reproduction in farmed fish species such as Atlantic Salmon, Atlantic Cod and Atlantic halibut. Environmental and endocrine control of reproduction and links to growth. Molecular reproductive endocrinology in salmon, cod and halibut, with focus on gonadotropins and gonadotropin receptors. Cod genome programme. Sex differentiation and sex reversal in cod and halibut.
Lead researcher(s): Geir-Lasse Taranger
Contact details: Havforskningsinstituttet, Postboks 1870 Nordnes, 5817 Bergen.
Website: http://www.imr.no/

UNIVERSITY OF BERGEN, DEPT OF BIOLOGY.

Research discipline: PUBERTY REGULATION, PHOTOPERIOD RECEPTIVITY, NEUROENDOCRINE REGULATION.
Research purpose: Puberty control, improved management of broodstock.
Description of research: Understanding and controlling the permissive internal factors that regulate age at puberty, and their interaction with the environment (photoperiod, season). Of specific interest is the hormonal communication between growth, energy status and the neuroendocrine system in the control of puberty.
Lead researcher(s): Prof. Sigurd Stefansson
Contact details: University of Bergen, Dept of Biology, Box 7800 N-5020 Bergen, Norway.
Website: http://www.bio.uib.no/code/startside/home_e.php

UNIVERSITY OF BERGEN, DEPT OF MOLECULAR BIOLOGY

Research discipline: GAMETOGENESIS
Research purpose: Sex control
Brief description of research: Two main areas of research: the function of anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) in gonad differentiation and development. The zebrafish is used as an experimental model, with studies also being conducted on Atlantic salmon and cod; reproductive toxicology - structure and function of ligand-activated receptors, activation by endocrine disruptors. Work on this area focuses on structure and regulation as well as the possible functional interaction between the two receptor systems.
Lead researcher(s): Rune Male
Contact details: University of Bergen, Dept of Molecular Biology, PO Box 7808 Bergen, Norway.
Website: http://www.uib.no/mbi/mbi-home-en.html

BODO UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, DEPT OF FISHERIES & NATURAL SCIENCES

Research discipline: GAMETE QUALITY, CONTROL OF SEX, BROODSTOCK MANAGEMENT
Research purpose: Improved larval quality
Description of research: Development of a knowledge and technology platform to improve larviculture. Production of all-female cod as a means to circumvent problems with early puberty in males. Egg quality in the atlantic halibut. Control of sex in atlantic halibut. Sustainable development of cod farming.
Lead researcher(s): Igor Babiak
Contact details: Bodo University, Dept of Fisheries & Natural Sciences, 8049 Bodo, Norway.
Website: www.hibo.no