The genome of the lumpfish has been mapped allowing scientists to study genes that contribute to traits such as growth and disease resistance.

The DNA sequencing is part of the research project ‘New species, new properties, new possiblities’ and is funded by the Norwegian University of Life Sciences and Research Council of Norway together with lifestock disease prevention company, Vaxxinova and breeding company AquaGen.

At Namdal Rensefisk, a NOK80m breeding plant in Flatanger, Norway, scientists believe they have discovered the genes determining gender, an important milestone enabling females to be selected for early breeding.

During the project, AquaGen has also developed a search tool comprising 70,000 gene markers to detect differences in DNA encoding important traits which, together with the genome sequence, will enable important genes to be found with high precision.

The next stage of the project is to investigate whether genetic differences provide resistance to bacterial diseases such as atypical furunculosis and vibriosis and to study sea lice appetite to determine whether increased appetite, and therefore growth, has a genetic factor.