The monogenean salmon fluke (Gyrodactylus salaris) is a dangerous ectoparasitic pathogen for Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) and frequently occurs in Norwegian rivers. High infection rates have reduced populations of salmon parr and led to a decline of upstream-swimming adult fish. Thus, finding efficient measures for the eradication of the parasite is necessary. The treatments that…

Algal blooms are seasonal phenomena in marine and freshwater ecosystems. Their frequency and severity are increasing, at least in part because of human impact. Algal blooms may be harmful (so-called HABs) and result in the die-off of vertebrate and invertebrate species. The reason for such mortality events can be variable and complex, and may include…

Amritha defends her thesis “Plant-based aquafeeds: Carry-over potential of mycotoxins and phytoestrogens from feed to fish and implications for fish health and food safety” on December 4th at the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU). She has performed her studies as part of the Havbruk2-project “SafeFish” in the Research group for Chemistry and Toxinology at…

Vittoria defends her thesis “Potential endocrine disrupting activity of cyanobacteria – possible roles for microcystins” on November 18 at the University of Oslo. She is one of 15 early-stage researchers on the EU’s Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network “Protection against endocrine disruptors; Detection, mixtures, health effects, risk assessment and communication”. The work was…

A new study from Lake Steinsfjorden, investigate presence of microcystins in crayfish in summer 2015 and 2016, after a large bloom of Planktothrix over the winter 2014-2015. The study is presented on the cover of the May issue of the international journal “Toxins”. Beautiful Lake Steinsfjorden has one of Norway’s finest populations of noble crayfish.…

In this newly published paper we have investigated cellular effects of the Fusarium mycotoxin 2-Amino-14,16-dimethyloctadecan-3-ol (AOD). AOD were found to induce big transient vacuoles in the cells. The effect were observed at non-toxic concentrations and not linked to any cell death processes. A detailed study further revealed that the vacuolization is due to an accumulation…

We have recently established workflows for the proteomic and metabolomic profiling of skin mucus in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). The epidermal mucus layer protects fish against harmful environmental factors and is an effective barrier between the fish and the biosphere. Since excreted proteins and small metabolites can mirror the health status of the fish, it…

MycoSafeBread will develop Norwegian bread products tailor-made for young children; with an absolute minimum of the mycotoxin DON, while at the same time fulfilling state health recommendations with regard to whole grains and dietary fiber. Toddlers eat on average much more bread than adults per body weight, and the Scientific Committee on Food and Environment…

Our PhD student Vittoria Mallia recently participated to the Horizon 2020 MSCA-ITN cluster event “Clean Water” organized by the Research Executive Agency (REA) of the European Commission in collaboration with the Fundacio Institut Català de Recerca de l’Aigua (ICRA). The event took place in Girona (Spain), on the 22nd of October 2019. Representatives from 12…

Azaspiracids (AZAs) are a group of natural algal toxins that appear periodically in shellfish. These toxins can cause food poisoning in humans and the first known poisoning episode happened in The Netherlands in 1995. The Irish shellfish consumed gave symptoms like stomach cramps, vomiting, severe diarrhea, and general nausea. Current methods for quantifying the regulated…