- floriana.lai@uib.no
- Visitor address
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Thormøhlens gate 53 A/B
5006 Bergen - Postal address
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P.O. Box 7803NO-5020 BergenNorway
Research groups
Short info
Research
Floriana graduated at the University of Oslo, in the PhD physiology program under the supervision of Professor Göran Nilsson. During her PhD FIoriana investigated the molecular and physiological response of teleost species exposed to environmental changes such as high CO2 levels in water. Here, she looked into a large range of neuro-aspects, from fish behaviour and cognition (Lai et al., Conservation physiology 2015; Näslund et al., Mar Freshw Res 2015) to changes in expression of genes linked with brain excitability (Lai et al., Conservation physiology 2017), neurogenesis and neuroplasticity (Lai et al., Biology letters, 2017).
In 2018, she joined the MDB group as a researcher. Since then, her research has focused on investigating the physiological and molecular responses associated with appetite and growth regulation under various conditions such as dietary ingredients (Espe et al., 2021; Lai et al., 2023), stress (Lai et al., 2021), fasting (Kalananthan-Lai et al., 2020; Lai et al., 2025), environmental factors (Lai et al., in prep.), and production systems(Lai et al., 2022; Lai et al., 2024).
Teaching
She has extensive experience supervising many master students and doctoral fellows.
Publications
Academic article
- Hanne Jorun Sixten; Katerina Kousoulaki; Floriana Lai et al. (2025). A sustainable krill meal enriched with stickwater boosts feed intake, growth performance, and stress resilience in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) following simulated acute high-temperature delousing. (external link)
- Nina Liland; Ivar Rønnestad; Marina Azevedo et al. (2024). Dataset on the performance of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) reared at different dissolved oxygen levels under experimental conditions. (external link)
- Gianmarco Del Vecchio; Floriana Lai; Ana S. Gomes et al. (2021). Effects of short term fasting on mRNA expression of ghrelin and the peptide transporters PepT1 and 2 in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). (external link)
- Tharmini Kalananthan; Floriana Lai; Ana S. Gomes et al. (2020). The Melanocortin System in Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar L.) and Its Role in Appetite Control. (external link)
- Ana S. Gomes; Virginie Gelebart; Rute C. Félix et al. (2025). Activation profile of the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) calcium-sensing receptor (Casr) by selected L-amino acids. (external link)
- Marit Espe; Floriana Lai; Ana S. Gomes et al. (2021). Leucine did not stimulate growth and accretion in either stressed or unstressed Atlantic salmon. (external link)
- Jonas Ismael Silva Marrero; Floriana Lai; Sigurd Olav Handeland et al. (2025). Integration of Gill and Intestinal Osmoregulatory Functions to Assess the Smoltification Window in Atlantic Salmon. (external link)
- Sara Comesaña; Floriana Lai; Ann-Elise Olderbakk Jordal et al. (2021). Amino Acid Carriers of the Solute Carrier Families 7 (SLC7) and 38 (SLC38) Are Involved in Leucine Sensing in the Brain of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar). (external link)
- Floriana Lai; Cathrine Elisabeth Fagernes; Fredrik Jutfelt et al. (2016). Expression of genes involved in brain GABAergic neurotransmission in three-spined stickleback exposed to near-future CO2. (external link)
- Floriana Lai; Cathrine Elisabeth Fagernes; Nicholas J Bernier et al. (2017). Responses of neurogenesis and neuroplasticity related genes to elevated CO2 levels in the brain of three teleost species. (external link)
- Floriana Lai; Sergei Budaev; Ida Kristine Hundven et al. (2025). Influence of water temperature on feed intake, appetite control, and energy allocation in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) post-smolt. (external link)
- Floriana Lai; Ivar Rønnestad; Sergei Budaev et al. (2024). Freshwater history influences farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) performance in seawater. (external link)
- Tharmini Kalananthan; Koji Murashita; Ivar Rønnestad et al. (2020). Hypothalamic agrp and pomc mRNA Responses to Gastrointestinal Fullness and Fasting in Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar, L.). (external link)
- Tharmini Kalananthan; Ana S. Gomes; Floriana Lai et al. (2021). Brain distribution of ten cart transcripts and their response to 4 days fasting in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.). (external link)
- Patrik Anthony Tang; Sigurd Olav Stefansson; Tom Ole Nilsen et al. (2022). Exposure to cold temperatures differentially modulates neural plasticity and stress responses in post-smolt Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). (external link)
- Tharmini Kalananthan; Ole Folkedal; Ana S. Gomes et al. (2023). Impact of long-term fasting on the stomach-hypothalamus appetite regulating genes in Atlantic salmon postsmolts. (external link)
- Joacim Näslund; Erik Lindström; Floriana Lai et al. (2015). Behavioural responses to simulated bird attacks in marine three-spined sticklebacks after exposure to high CO2 levels. (external link)
- Neda Gilannejad; Ivar Rønnestad; Floriana Lai et al. (2021). Daily rhythms of intestinal cholecystokinin and pancreatic proteases activity in Senegalese sole juveniles with diurnal and nocturnal feeding. (external link)
- Floriana Lai; Sara Comesaña; Ana S. Gomes et al. (2023). Anorectic role of high dietary leucine in farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.): Effects on feed intake, growth, amino acid transporters and appetite-control neuropeptides.. (external link)
- Hanne Jorun Sixten; Ivar Rønnestad; André Sture Bogevik et al. (2025). Side-Stream Based Marine Solubles From Atlantic Cod (Gadus morhua) Modulate Appetite and Dietary Nutrient Utilization in Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar L.) and can Replace Fish Meal. (external link)
- Floriana Lai; Ivar Rønnestad; Lars Helge Stien et al. (2025). Cross-regulatory interaction between the HPI axis and appetite regulation in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) parr under chronic and acute stress. (external link)
- Nina Liland; Floriana Lai; Alessandro Sicuro et al. (2025). On-growing Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) acclimate behaviourally and physiologically to chronic hypoxia, but exhibit reduced feed intake, growth and lipid retention. (external link)
- Angelico Madaro; Floriana Lai; Per Gunnar Fjelldal et al. (2024). Comparing physiological responses of acute and chronically stressed diploid and triploid Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). (external link)
- Ingvill Tolås; Tharmini Kalananthan; Ana S. Gomes et al. (2021). Regional Expression of npy mRNA Paralogs in the Brain of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar, L.) and Response to Fasting. (external link)
- Floriana Lai; Muhammad Rahmad Royan; Ana S. Gomes et al. (2021). The stress response in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.): identification and functional characterization of the corticotropin-releasing factor (crf) paralogs. (external link)
- Floriana Lai; Cathrine Elisabeth Fagernes; Nicholas J Bernier et al. (2017). Responses of neurogenesis and neuroplasticity related genes to elevated CO2 levels in the brain of three teleost species. (external link)
- Floriana Lai; Fredrik Jutfelt; Goran Erik Nilsson (2015). Altered neurotransmitter function in CO2-exposed stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus): a temperate model species for ocean acidification research. (external link)
- Floriana Lai; Ivar Rønnestad; Thea Solberg Olsen et al. (2025). Adaptations to intermittent fasting in large sea caged Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar); effects on feeding, energy homeostasis, and growth. (external link)
Conference poster
- Floriana Lai; MR Royan; Ana S. Gomes et al. (2019). The Ss4R Event: Identification and Characterization of the Corticotropin-releasing Factor (CRF) System in Atlantic Salmon, Salmo Salar (L.).. (external link)
- Floriana Lai; Ana S. Gomes; Ann-Elise Olderbakk Jordal et al. (2018). Amino acid sensing systems in teleost gastrointestinal tract. (external link)
- Hanne Jorun Sixten; Katerina Kousoulaki; Floriana Lai et al. (2024). A NOVEL KRILL MEAL INGREDIENT ENHANCES FEED INTAKE FOLLOWING IMITATED ACUTE HIGH-TEMPERATURE LOUSE TREATMENT STRESS IN ATLANTIC SALMON. (external link)
- Floriana Lai; Sara Comesaña; Ana S. Gomes et al. (2022). Leucine’s dietary supplementation effect on the regulation of stress in farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.). (external link)
- Ingvill Tolås; Ana S. Gomes; Floriana Lai et al. (2023). The effect of copper on appetite, growth and health in farmed Atlantic salmon: the importance of nutrient sensors and the microbiota-gut-brain axis. (external link)
- Ana S. Gomes; Floriana Lai; Ann-Elise Olderbakk Jordal et al. (2019). Characterization of GPCR6A and CaSR in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). (external link)
- Floriana Lai; Tharmini Kalananthan; G. M. Berg et al. (2019). Brain Distribution of Key Neuropeptides Involved in Appetite Control in Atlantic Salmon, Salmo Salar (L.).. (external link)
- Angelico Madaro; Floriana Lai; Per Gunnar Fjelldal et al. (2023). A comparative study of the physiological responses of acute and chronically stressed diploid and triploid Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar).. (external link)
- Floriana Lai; Ida Hundven; Pablo Balseiro Vigo et al. (2023). Feed intake, growth and gut transit in Atlantic salmon at different temperatures- involvement of control pathways for digestion and appetite.. (external link)
- Ingvill Tolås; Floriana Lai; Ana S. Gomes et al. (2022). Hvordan påvirker kobber appetitt, vekst og helse hos oppdrettslaks: betydning av næringssensorer og mikrobiota-tarm-hjerne aksen. (external link)
- Ana S. Gomes; Floriana Lai; Yvette Taché et al. (2019). The Taste Receptor gene repertoire in Salmonids. (external link)
- Neda Gilannejad; Ivar Rønnestad; Floriana Lai et al. (2019). Influence of different daily feeding protocols on regulation of cck hormone and pancreatic proteases activity in Senegalese sole juveniles.. (external link)
Conference abstract
- Floriana Lai; Tharmini Kalananthan; G. M. Berg et al. (2019). Brain Distribution of Key Neuropeptides Involved in Appetite Control in Atlantic Salmon, Salmo Salar (L.).. (external link)
- Floriana Lai; MR Royan; Ana S. Gomes et al. (2019). The Ss4R Event: Identification and Characterization of the Corticotropin-releasing Factor (CRF) System in Atlantic Salmon, Salmo Salar (L.).. (external link)
- Ana S. Gomes; Floriana Lai; Yvette Taché et al. (2019). The Taste Receptor gene repertoire in Salmonids. (external link)
- Ivar Rønnestad; Floriana Lai; Tharmini Kalananthan et al. (2023). Appetite control and feed intake- Can AgRP serve as a biomarker for appetite in the teleost Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar?. (external link)
- Ana S. Gomes; Floriana Lai; Ann-Elise Olderbakk Jordal et al. (2019). Characterization of GPCR6A and CaSR in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). (external link)
Conference lecture
- Linda Andersen; Ivar Rønnestad; Alf Seljenes Dalum et al. (2024). Water quality issues caused by zinc and gas supersaturation during simulated well boat operations of Atlantic salmon. (external link)
- Ana S. Gomes; Virginie Gelebart; Floriana Lai et al. (2022). Essential amino acids activation of calcium sensing receptor in Atlantic salmon. (external link)
- Tharmini Kalananthan; Floriana Lai; Ingvill Tolås et al. (2021). Appetite regulating neuropeptides and their distribution in the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) brain. (external link)
- Ingvill Tolås; Tharmini Kalananthan; Ana Cristina Da Silva Gomes et al. (2021). Distribution of npy mRNA in the Brain of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar, L.) and Responses to Gastrointestinal Fullness and Fasting. (external link)
- Ivar Rønnestad; Tom Ole Nilsen; Floriana Lai (2024). Lectures in Fish Physiology and Aquaculture. (external link)
- Floriana Lai; Ana S. Gomes; Koji Murashita et al. (2019). Orexigenic brain responses to gastrointestinal fullness in postsmolt Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar, L.). (external link)
- Hanne Jorun Sixten; Katerina Kousoulaki; Floriana Lai et al. (2026). Sustainable fishmeal enriched with fish protein hydrolysates maintains or enhances performance following simulated acute high-temperature louse treatment stress in Atlantic salmon. (external link)
- Ivar Rønnestad; Tom Ole Nilsen; Ana S. Gomes et al. (2023). Lectures in Fish Physiology, Aquaculture and Sustainability. (external link)
- Ana S. Gomes; Floriana Lai; Yvette Taché et al. (2019). Taste Receptor gene repertoire in Salmonids. (external link)
- Jonas Ismael Silva Marrero; Ana S. Gomes; Pablo Balseiro et al. (2024). Assessing the physiological response of gills and intestine through smoltification in Atlantic salmon exposed to two different photoperiods. (external link)
- Alessandro Sicuro; Floriana Lai; Nina Sylvia Liland et al. (2024). Effects of three different levels of dissolved oxygen on the feed intake, growth and appetite of farmed Atlantic salmon. (external link)
- Sara Calabrese; Rolf David Vogt; Endre Steigum et al. (2024). Effekter av sink på laks under forhold relevante for brønnbåtsoperasjoner. (external link)
Popular science article
Lecture
- Floriana Lai; Ivar Rønnestad (2025). Environmental impact on feed intake and energy allocation. (external link)
- Ivar Rønnestad; Floriana Lai; Koji Murashita (2025). Appetite, feed intake and digestion. (external link)
- Floriana Lai; Sigurd Olav Handeland; Pablo Balseiro Vigo et al. (2022). Sesongvariasjon av fôringsatferd, appetitt, vekst og fôrutnyttelse gjennom en produksjonssyklus av laks- tidlige livsstadier påvirker fisken helt frem til slakt. (external link)
- Floriana Lai; Sigurd Olav Handeland; Pablo Balseiro Vigo et al. (2022). Seasonal variation of feeding behaviour, appetite, growth and feed utilization through a salmon production cycle.. (external link)
- Floriana Lai; Ivar Rønnestad; Sergei Budaev et al. (2023). Seawater growth performance of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) smolts produced in a flow-through or recirculating aquaculture system.. (external link)
- Tharmini Kalananthan; Floriana Lai; Sigurd Olav Handeland et al. (2021). Appetittstyrt fôring av Atlantisk laks. (external link)
- Tharmini Kalananthan; Ana S. Gomes; Floriana Lai et al. (2021). Distribution of npy mRNA in the Brain of Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar, L.) and Responses to Gastrointestinal Fullness and Fasting. (external link)
- Geir Magne Knutsen; Floriana Lai (2024). Produksjon av laks til halv pris. (external link)
Professional article
See a complete overview of publications in Cristin.
2017
1. Lai, Floriana; Fagernes, Cathrine Elisabeth; Bernier, Nicholas J; Miller, Gabrielle; Munday, Philip L; Nilsson, Göran Erik. Responses of neurogenesis and neuroplasticity related genes to elevated CO2 levels in the brain of three teleost species. Biology Letters 2017UiO
2016
2. Lai, Floriana; Fagernes, Cathrine Elisabeth; Jutfelt, Fredrik; Nilsson, Göran Erik. Expression of genes involved in brain GABAergic neurotransmission in three-spined stickleback exposed to near-future CO2. Conservation Physiology 2016 ;Volum 4.(1) s. -NTNU UiO
2015
3. Lai, Floriana; Jutfelt, Fredrik; Nilsson, Goran Erik. Altered neurotransmitter function in CO2-exposed stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus): a temperate model species for ocean acidification research. Conservation Physiology 2015 ;Volum 3.(1) s. 1-6UiO
4. Näslund, Joacim; Lindström, Erik; Lai, Floriana; Jutfelt, Fredrik. Behavioural responses to simulated bird attacks in marine three-spined sticklebacks after exposure to high CO2 levels. Marine and Freshwater Research 2015 ;Volum 66.(10) s. 877-885UiO
Projects
2024-pres.: SANDE - Seasonal production of rainbow trout. Research Council of Norway, Innovation Project for the Industrial Sector (project nr. 346461). Project leader and responsible researcher for experimental activities.
2023-pres.:NORDFJORD LAKS - Comparison of different production of Atlantic salmon. Vestland Regional Research Fund (project nr. 349491) and skatteFUNN. Project leader and responsible researcher for experimental activities.
2021-2024: TIME4SUCCESS - Production of robust salmon in freshwater phase. Researcher. Research Council of Norway (project nr. 320566). Responsible researcher work package 1. 2023-2026
2020-2023: NOFOOD2WASTE - Appetite based feeding control in Atlantic salmon. Research Council of Norway, Innovation Project for the Industrial Sector (project nr. 317770). Responsible manager and leader of the experimental activities.
2020-2022: SEASTAR - Real time monitoring and surveillance of aquaculture farms with networks of underwater sensors. EU/EEA (grant - n.863731). Responsible researcher experimental activities.
2018-2022: LeuSENSE - Exploring leucine's role in feed intake and growth under stress: from sensing to action. Research Council of Norway (project nr. 267626). Responsible researcher and leader of experimental activities.