Benchmark Genetics and Nofima Unite to Launch the LuseLess Project Against Sea Lice

In a bold move to tackle one of the most pressing issues in Atlantic salmon farming, Benchmark Genetics and Nofima have announced the launch of a groundbreaking two-year initiative named the LuseLess project. Officially titled “Enhancing Cellular Immune Response Genetics for Atlantic Salmon Host-Resistance to Sea Lice,” this ambitious research partnership aims to significantly boost the fish’s natural defenses against sea lice, a prevalent challenge in aquaculture.

Project Overview

The LuseLess project is set to run from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2027, with a backing of NOK 10 million provided through an Innovation Project in Industry (IPN) grant from the Norwegian Research Council.

Building on Prior Research

This initiative draws fundamentally on findings from the earlier CrispResist project. That research provided valuable insights into the cellular and genetic mechanisms that enable Pacific salmon species to exhibit remarkable resistance to sea lice. These species possess biological attributes that help them either reduce lice attachment or effectively reject and eliminate lice within the initial two weeks of infection.

Objectives and Methodologies

The primary focal point of the LuseLess project is to develop new lice-resistance traits through selective breeding, thereby enhancing Atlantic salmon’s response to sea lice infestations. The project plans to achieve this through:

• Understanding the variations in cellular immune responses among Atlantic salmon.
• Determining the heritability of these immune responses.
• Assessing how immune responses correlate with sea lice levels and critical production traits.
• Creating high-throughput biopsy profiling methods tailored for commercial breeding applications.
• Modeling potential genetic advancements based on different breeding strategies.

Collaborative Expertise

The total financial commitment to this innovative project stands at NOK 10 million. Benchmark Genetics will contribute significant in-kind resources, including access to salmon samples undergoing sea lice challenge tests in Iceland, extensive large-scale genotyping, and support from its global genetics team. Meanwhile, Nofima will bring to the table its specialist knowledge in immune cell functions and its experience in forming high-throughput methods for biopsies, facilitating integration into Benchmark Genetics’ salmon breeding protocols.

Leadership and Impact

Serap Gonen, Lead for Salmon Genomics at Benchmark Genetics, takes the reins as project leader. Gonen emphasized the visionary goals of the initiative: “LuseLess represents a shift from managing sea lice to breeding fish that are inherently better equipped to resist them. By combining advanced genetics with immune biology, we aim to deliver durable improvements in sea lice resistance that can be implemented at scale.”

Nick Robinson, Senior Research Scientist at Nofima, echoed the project’s scientific ambitions, stating, “This project allows us to translate detailed knowledge of immune cell function into practical tools for selective breeding. The combination of cutting-edge immunology and industrial breeding expertise makes LuseLess particularly well-positioned to deliver real impact for the industry.”

Commitment to Sustainable Practices

With the launch of LuseLess, Benchmark Genetics reinforces its dedication to research-driven selective breeding practices. The initiative aims to translate advanced immune biology into actionable genetic improvements that support both fish welfare and sustainable Atlantic salmon production.

Image: Benchmark Genetics