The current main theme of the Experimental Zoology Group is the biomechanics and development of the locomotion and feeding system in fish and other vertebrates (such as amphibians, reptiles and horses), in an evolutionary perspective and in relation to animal welfare. Mechanisms of development, growth and adaptation are studied at several levels of structural organisation, from molecules to ecosystem. This integrates several research lines such as (1) architectural organisation and remodelling of muscle and skeletons in larval and juvenile fish and horses, (2) biofluid dynamics of swimming in larval fish, (3) effects of training on growth of the muscular system, signified by for instance molecular expression patterns, and (4) structural development and function of the equilibrium system. We have also an ecomorphology line of research that relates form and function at the organismal level to the actual niches and adaptive radiation in the natural enviroment.

The following research lines are carried out:

Technical facilities:

We have access to the a wide range of facilities such as state of the art software for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and compuational mechanics, experimental flow tanks, high-speed video video equipment, high-speed X-ray analysis, digital particle image velocimetry (PIV), sonomicrometry for in vivo strain measurements, work-loop technique for muscle mechanics, laservibrometry, catheter-tip pressure transducers, micro-pipet oxgen measurement, a wide range of histological techniques, confocal- and electronmicroscopy, in situ hybridisation and quantitative PCR.