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IS-AUR-Samarb.progr. Norge Frankrike

Appetite regulation in fish; a transcriptomic approach

Awarded: NOK 32,000

Knowledge on the mechanisms regulating appetite in fish, and the relationship between this regulation and their seasonal biology, is scarce. The high-latitude, highly seasonal fish species Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus) utilize the rich marine environment for feeding, and lose appetite when they overwinter in freshwater, and as such, goes through dramatic seasonal changes in appetite and physiology. The fact that these fish remain anorexic throughout winter despite emaciation indicate a mechanism by which appetite is ?switched off? and makes this species an ideal model for studying the mechanisms regulating appetite in fish. Such knowledge is important for the growing aquaculture business and in the long run perhaps also for understanding eating disorders and obesity in humans. The present application aims at funding a more solid foundation for a recent established collaboration between the University of Tromsø, the Arctic University of Norway, platform Bioinfo Genotoul- Unité MIAT INRA, Toulouse and Université P et M Curie Laboratoire Arago, Banyuls sur Mer. The applicant have already had a fruitful collaboration with Professor Jack Falcon, Université P et M Curie Laboratoire Arago, Banyuls sur Mer, which is now to be extended to include Dr. Elodie Magnanou. Due to the complexity of the brain mechanisms regulating appetite we found it prudent to include high-throughput transcriptomics in our studies in order to be able to screen the expression of a large number of genes. Due to the already strong research connection between Laboratoire Arago and the Bioinfo Genotoul- Unité MIAT INRA platform, the latter was chosen for the transcriptome analyses. The collaboration is envisaged to generate high quality scientific results and hopefully future funding opportunities. Another important aspect of this collaboration is the chance for PhD student Anja Striberny to include up-to-date sequencing methods (i.e. Illumina) and supervision expertise within this method.

Funding scheme:

IS-AUR-Samarb.progr. Norge Frankrike