Åbo Akademi University Laboratory of Aquatic Pathobiology / Parasitological Institute in Turku 50 years.
The
Parasitological Institute was founded by the Finnish Society of
Sciences and Letters (Societas Scientiarum Fennica) in 1963 as an
independent research institute at Åbo Akademi University. In the
1980's the Institute was integrated with the Department of Biology,
Åbo Akademi University. The Institute changed name in the 90's to
the Laboratory of Aquatic Pathobiology in order to better describe
the current activities.
In
the beginning, the main goal was to use research-generated knowledge
to help eradicate the broad tapeworm (Diphyllobotrium
latum)
from Finland. While as late as during the 50’s, the infection was
rather common, the prevalence regionally reaching even 20 %, the
disease is now rare, but not entirely eradicated. Studies showed that
pike, burbot and perch, but not vendace, whitefish or salmon
transferred the infection to humans.
Figure 1. Finnish Red Cross Diphyllobothrium
latum
combat poster from the 1950’s. Its text gives a clear warning with
a rather unprecise description of the tapeworm life cycle.
Especially
in the 70’s and 80’s, the Laboratory research was mainly focused
on zoonotic parasitic infections, but also on parasite-related fish
diseases and parasite biology.
The
activity has in recent years focused mainly on bacterial diseases in
wild and farmed fish, and the research has produced internationally
important results. Also, viral diseases in fish have been studied.
Ongoing parasitological studies have dealt with the biology and
systematics of ascaridoid nematodes, and recently also the myxozoan
parasite Henneguya
zschokkei
in farmed and wild whitefish.
The
Laboratory of Aquatic Pathobiology will continue to focus on the area
of fish health. Its research primarily serves coastal communities,
fish farming, various government agencies and the scientific
community
On
April 17th, 2013, the Laboratory will celebrate its first 50 years
with a Seminar where, among others,
Dr. Tom Wiklund will shortly present the 50-year history,
Dr. Hans-Peter Fagerholm will speak about parasitological research at
the Laboratory of Aquatic Pathobiology / Parasitological Institute,
and Prof. Arne Skorping (University of Bergen) about parasitology
yesterday, today and tomorrow. The Seminar language is mainly
Swedish/Scandinavian. The Seminar will be finished with a banquet
dinner.
www.abo.fi
Figure
1. Invitation to the 50-year seminar
[Right click and save image to computer to view]
