Research in cattle, pigs, poultry and mink at the Department of Animal Science at Aarhus University has now been supplemented by research that includes fish.
This is the reality from 1 July, when the research group Host-pathogen interactions in fish from DTU's unit in Aarhus is included in the department to augment the research carried out at AU Foulum.
Head of the Department of Animal Science, Klaus Lønne Ingvartsen, is looking forward to the additional research capacity at Foulum.
"This is an eight-person strong science team with a good research track record at the interface between basic and applied research, which also focuses on fish farming. The group is moreover good at attracting external funding for research and has good experience and skills in applying for EU funds," he explained.
Although fish do not really fit in with the department’s existing research, which is based on animal species such as cattle, pigs, poultry and mink, according to Klaus Lønne Ingvartsen it nevertheless makes good sense to incorporate the research group conserning fish.
"There are a number of research synergies between fish research and our research in immunology. Besides, with the new group we can make even better use of our laboratory facilities," said Dr Ingvartsen.
The preparations to integrate the new research group in the Department of Animal Science were already started well in advance of the incorporation, with lab technicians at the department being trained up in some of the research areas of fish group.
Dr Ingvartsen welcomes the fresh inflow of research expertise to Foulum:
"This is really good for Foulum since in recent years the centre has seen several activities expected to move to Aarhus. So a reverse flow is a good signal that we are investing in and developing research here in Foulum," he said.
He does not rule out that the new research could contribute to further growth of the department. This may be in the form of new facilities for research in behaviour.
"In connection with the move of the group we need to build new facilities for the fish they work with. But I also imagine that with synergies in nutrition, stress biology and behaviour there may be the basis for the construction of yet more facilities for this exciting area of research," he said.
Dr Ingvartsen expects the facilities and offices in Foulum to be ready for the new staff to take over in about a year's time.
