Trial lecture and disputation - MSc in Aquatic Biology Filipe Figueiredo

Later, at 12.15 he will defend his thesis entitled: "Tailoring immune responses in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.): from early immune stimulation to transcription factor-based vaccination against salmonid alphavirus subtype 3 (SAV3)"

Professor and deputy head at the Norwegian College of Fishery Science Espen Holst Hansen will lead the disputation.

Popular Science Summary

Atlantic salmon is vital to European aquaculture and a cornerstone of Norway’s economy. However, intensive farming increases the risk of infectious diseases that threaten fish health and industry sustainability. This PhD project explored how the salmon immune system develops and how vaccines can be improved using modern molecular tools. Laboratory studies showed that even newly hatched salmon can activate antiviral defences when exposed to immune stimulants. In older fish, adding gene-based adjuvants to a vaccine improved their ability to fight infection and recover faster. By combining molecular biology, immunology, and gene analysis, the research reveals how immunity can be strengthened at different life stages. The findings may help design more effective and sustainable vaccines, improving fish welfare and supporting a resilient aquaculture industry.

Evaluation Committee

• Professor Samuel Martin, University of Aberdeen, Great Britain (1. opponent)
• Professor Gyri T. Haugland, University of Bergen (2. opponent)
• Professor Monica Alterskjær Sundset, Department of Arctic and Marine Biology (Internal member and leader of the committee)

Supervisors

• Professor Kim Præbel, Norwegian College of Fishery Science
• Professor Roy Dalmo, Norwegian College of Fishery Science
• Professor Stefano Peruzzi, Department of Arctic and Marine Biology
• Professor Jacques Godfroid, Department of Arctic and Marine Biology

Streaming

Both the trial lecture and defense and will be streamed and recorded:

• Trial lecture
• Defense

Thesis

 The thesis is available in Vitenarkivet