Current research covers a range of marine organisms. Atlantic cod is a key species, for which research interests include the characterisation of coastal and Arctic cod populations based on complete mitochondrial genomes, the immune system, the inheritance pattern of mitochondrial tandem repeats, and cryptic female choice based on in vitro fertilizations. Population structure, gene flow and sex allocation is investigated in seabirds using molecular markers to determine their vulnerability and effective management practices facing potential oil spills. Research also covers development of molecular markers for characterization of growth and immune status in flatfishes; genome-wide screen, characterization and evolution of antimicrobial peptide families in several fish species; detection of hybrids and population assessments in two sympatric sea urchin species; the specific status and phylogeny of three putative species of corals.
National and international collaborating institutions include the University of Tromsø, Norwegian Institute for Nature Research, Sars International Centre for Marine Molecular Biology, University of Iceland, University of St Andrews, University of Tokyo, University of Porto, and Hellenic Centre for Marine Research.
For more information, see http://www.mtdna.no/