Services

Luke's diverse research infrastructures are suitable frameworks for experimental research on renewable natural resources and are widely available throughout Finland.

Luke Selective Breeding is open to access to study aquaculture breeding programmes, genomic selection, computational genomics, genomic determination of fish traits, bioinformatics and genome evolution. The indoor infrastructure includes: >263 egg incubation units; 260 family-tanks (0.5 m²); 4 tanks for temperature and photoperiod manipulation (28 m²); 20 fingerling tanks (3 m²); and 44 broodstock tanks (7-50 m²). There are globally unique family-based breeding programmes for rainbow trout (annually 200 families) and European whitefish Coregonus lavaretus (annually 40 families) whose genetic material are widely used by the aquaculture industry. The breeding programme for rainbow trout is one of the world’s largest and longest running, with pedigree, phenotype, tissue samples and genomic data collected since the late 80's. There is equipment and expertise for small and large family-based experiments with specific matings.

Luke Selective Breeding offers services to study -omics, genetics, conservation and selective breeding of farmed fish, and support in the statistical genomic analysis of new and existing data sets and tissue samples. The work has resulted in an extensive scientific publication list and documented impact on the international industry and its environmental footprint.

Bioresources available

Rainbow trout and European whitefish Coregonus lavaretus with known family background (and genotype).

Support offered

The TA user will be supported by Luke’s extensive, well-established international research community in the fields of breeding, wild fish populations, aquaculture, genomics and computational genetics, to which the users join. Luke will train TA users to utilise the infrastructures and the associated analytical tools and databases. Luke staff will aid in finding accommodation either within Luke’s own accommodations or via external services.

Modality of access

Actual cost. Typical access lasts between a few weeks to 1-2 years.