Thesis defence by Sébastien Baekelandt

Fish immunity: modulation by the light environment and the melatonin hormone in a percid fish, the pike-perch

Pike-perch (Sander lucioperca) is a valuable fish candidate for the expansion of the European aquaculture industry. However, this fish shows high mortalities related to a high stress responsiveness. Because of its tapetum lucidum, a reflecting layer in the retina, pike-perch is more sensitive to the light environment. Thus, inappropriate light environments in farm conditions was hypothesized to affect its physiology, including a higher stress level and a decrease in immunocompetence and growth. This thesis studied the impact of the light environment on the immune system, with special focus on the melatonin hormone as a potential intermediate. The results discovered complex interactions between the circadian axis, the stress axis and the immune system in teleosts, as well as a direct action of melatonin on immune targets. Another excellent candidate to listen to!


More information.

Sébastien will present the results of his PhD thesis, conducted in the Research Unit of Environmental and Evolutionary Biology (URBE) under the supervision of Patrick Kestemont. The session is open to the public or can be followed by videoconference: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89866169716