In the experimental comparative immunology group, we are trying to understand how the unusual adaptive immune system of cod works. We think it is of fundamental interest to understand how Atlantic cod can become immune. This could also make us be able to make better vaccines for codfish, an emerging species in aquaculture. We keep cod for experiments in NIVA research facility near Dr?bak, but we do most experiments and analysis at Rikshospitalet (OUH) or in the Biology Building.
Projects
- What are biological correlates for protective vaccines?
- What are immune responses to pathogens and model antigens in cod?
- What is the antigen receptor diversity in cod and does this change upon immunization?
- Do cod reject tissue transplants like other animals?
- Ontogeny of immune organs
Technologies
- Single cell transcriptomics – bioinformatics
- Histology and pathology
- Molecular and cell biology (isolation of cells and RNA, gene expression analysis, PCR etc.)
- Generation of tools and assays for research on cod (making monoclonal antibodies, ELISA, Flow etc.)
The student’s responsibilities
- We expect that the student will participate in the regular project meetings, read up on relevant literature, and present your project at internal meetings.
Contact
- Finn-Eirik Johansen, f.e.johansen@ibv.uio.no