Business trip report, Iceland, Pšenička

September 2–6, 2025, I visited several collaborating institutions in Iceland.

One of them was The Northern Sturgeon Company, where our graduate Ondřej Tunys is currently employed and where a number of our students undertake internships. At the company, we contribute to sex determination, maturity assessment, and sturgeon artificial stripping.

I also visited the University of Iceland, where I discussed opportunities for student exchanges within the Erasmus+ programme, and the company Benchmark Genetics, which produces salmon embryos exported worldwide.

A specialty of the company is the production of all-female triploid embryos after whole-genome selection. Another unique feature is the use of exclusively cryopreserved sperm.

The company is also introducing a new automated embryo injection system, which will enable the application of advanced molecular genetic methods.

Together with company representative Eduardo Rodriguez, I discussed opportunities for collaboration with our faculty and internships for our PhD students.

The business trip took place within the framework of the project Aquaculture for Future, reg. no. CZ.02.01.01/00/23_021/0012616.