Smolting in Atlantic salmon

The proposed programme seeks to integrate basic strategic research, with emphasis on advanced molecular, physiological and immunological methods, with a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of environmental regulation of the parr-smolt transformation of Atlantic salmon. The programme integrates strategic biological basic research with education and research training of young scientists on a high international level. Central in the programme is the environmental and endocrine control of branchial Na+, K +-Atpase activity and the expression of genes coding for a and b ? subunits. Further, the programme seeks basic knowledge on immunoprotective mechanisms during smolting, through identification and characterisation of specific immune cells and their functions, signal molecules, receptors and the mechanisms invol ved in immune regulation. Another major focus of the program will be on genes involved in the development of the pituitary, which are required for the ultimate endocrine functions. Several homeobox genes are well conserved throughout evolution. Hence, the programme will build on results obtained in the protochordate model for the parallel identification and characterisation of these genes regulating pituitary functions during smoltification in the target species, Atlantic salmon. Environmental factors wil l be used to create normal and disrupted smolt development, which will be analysed on several levels of biological organisation.