The research station supports high-quality research and provides competent advice to both our internal and external clients. We help our clients effectively carry out their projects and provide in-depth analyses at highest standards. The research station is proud of its dynamic international environment, which helps build a solid foundation for knowledge exchange and development within the field of marine biosciences.
The research station is located in Mørkvedbukta, only 10 km from Bodø's city centre and a 15 minute walk from Nord University's campus.
From being established as a field station in 1988, today's research station comprises offices, cutting-edge research facilities, modern dry and wet laboratories as well as an advanced genomics platform on a surface area of 3,200 m². Pure seawater from depths of 50 and 250 meters is supplying two outdoor tanks and six large research halls. Our state-of-the-art laboratories have the equipment to create conditions that simulate different natural environmental conditions, e.g. temperature, light and feeding conditions. In addition, we have freshwater facilities for temperature-controlled experiments.
The research station is authorised to hold most relevant species of fish, shell and benthos in production. In addition, various species are available for teaching and research purposes. The research station further spans facilities for research on genetically modified (GM fish), microalgae and feed development.
In 2014, two departments were upgraded and customised respectively to hold broodstock of the spotted wolffish, and conduction of feed trials with controlled feed consumption. Since 2012, it has been performed yearly experiments with early feeding of lumpfish. Some of this production has been returned as brood fish recruits to Arctic Cleanerfish in Lofoten.
In addition, there are modern laboratories to facilitate different types of research activities, such as histology, physiology and microbiology. There are rooms designed for work on cell cultures and climate-controlled rooms. The laboratories are updated to the prevailing research activities and holds capacity for performing extensive analyses.
The different research groups are conducting many projects every year. In 2014, 20 experiments were completed distributed on master's theses, projects in co-operation with the industry and larger research projects with both national and international participation and funding. In addition to experiments on unconventional feed components, intestinal health, stress and welfare on salmon in seawater, there has been an increasing activity on early stages of salmon in fresh water. The experiments have also included spotted wolffish and lumpfish as new commercial farmed species and the use of zebrafish as model species.
The staff at Mørkvedbukta research station holds a high, varied and relevant biological and technical expertise, and they support the scientific staff in solving most challenges. The staff also have extensive knowledge about a variety of aquatic organisms and water technical infrastructure.
The research station maintains an active research- and competence environment, where our internal and external clients get to carry out their projects and analyses with high standards. The environment is dynamic and international, which in turn builds a solid foundation for exchange and development of knowledge in different fields of marine sciences.
Biological material is easily accessible with short distance to unique fjord systems and the rich fisheries along the coast. Sampling is for the most carried out using the research vessel "Tanteyen", a Viksund 1030. The vessel is an important part of the infrastructure at the faculty, and is frequently used for projects and teaching purposes. The crew has extensive experience with sampling and data collection. The boat is equipped for exact positioning and have winches and equipment for sampling in water and sediment.
Science Week is an annual nationwide festival arranged by The Research Council of Norway. At Nord University, this takes place every fall. During Science Week, the faculty arranges the event Open Research Station in Mørkvedbukta. The event is very popular among the people of Bodø, and has since 2009 experienced increasing interest and growing number of activities. Exciting activities and contests are presented and showcased by the research groups, and will be made available for both grown-ups and kids. To see the giant halibut and lumpfish, see and feel marine organisms and explore the sampling equipment are all popular activities. Scientists, students and technical staff are supervising the different stands.
At the end of 2014, new premises specifically designed for marine biological research was completed. The facilities are mainly customized to the needs of the research group marine ecology, but they also complement existing facilities in the same building, such as feed laboratory and teaching lab. The new building consists of laboratory (32 m2), instrumentation room/lab (15 m2), cleanroom/glassware storage and a general storage room. The labs are equipped with fume cabinets, ventilated chemical- and safety cabinets. Other equipment consists of stereomicroscope with camera, plankton scanner, drying cabinets and much more.
The facilities are located directly adjacent to the field station reception, which is a wet room adapted to the intake of marine specimens. From here, it is only about 50 m to the research station quay, and the location is thus ideal in terms of rapid and efficient treatment of samples from field cruises. This will help to ensure the high quality of the research performed.