Many questions remain unanswered about Icelandic salmon stocks. One of them has been man-made salmon depletion during its stay in the ocean. A revolution in genetic engineering has now brought scientists closer to the answer. Kristin Ólafsson at Matís participates in this research and his doctoral studies will focus on the Icelandic part of this European project.
DNA analysis is used, among other things, in aquaculture to select fish for breeding. This can speed up breeding and increase the conservation of genetic variation. In wild strains, genetic analysis is used to study strains and strain units. These include salmon, cod, lobster, herring, sandeel, ling, etc. species. Genetic analysis can be used in traceability research and species analysis, whether it is eggs, juveniles, fillets from a counter or canned food.
Genetic analysis has been used in human genetics in recent decades, but this technology is now increasingly used in zoology and is especially important in research on wild marine stocks. It is also an important goal to develop phenotypic genetic markers, but good genetic markers are the basis for successful research of this kind.
Matís is the only company in Iceland that has systematically built up genetic analysis of animals.
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For further information Kristinn Ólafsson.