UROP Project
Pollution induced effects in liver of feral fish assessed by toxicogenomic techniques
Contact
Key Info
Basic Information
- Project Offer-Number:
- 793
- Category:
- UROP Abroad
- Field:
- Biology
- Faculty:
- 0
- Organisation unit:
- Toxicology Centre
- Language Skills:
- English
- Computer Skills:
- MS Word, MS Excel, SPSS or SYSTAT
- Professor:
- Markus Hecker and Henner Hollert
MoveOn
Measure 1.1: Strengthening the Natural Sciences
Anthropogenic and natural pollutants often result in adverse effects on different levels of biological organization. The aim of this project is the linkage of biochemical and physiological responses with parameters of demographic relevance (survival, growth, reproduction). The use of “omic” techniques enables the investigation of the specific mechanisms by which stressors such as chemicals can interact with molecular pathways. The work within this UROP project is related to scientific activities in the EU project SOLUTIONS. Fish samples were collected from the river Holtemme (Germany), which is of particular scientific interest due to its specific point sources of pollution. The student in Biology/Environmental Science from Germany will participate in the investigation of the interaction of chemicals of concern and their molecular pathways in fish species native to Canada and Europe.
Task
The student will learn the preparation and conduct of gene expression analysis including the preparation of samples, extraction of RNA, design of primers and probes, and the actual quantification of mRNA using Q-RT-PCR. Furthermore, the student will be given the opportunity to participate in advanced genomic analyses including the conducts of gene arrays, and other open platform technologies such as sequence by synthesis analysis. They will apply these methods to characterize the potential impacts of selected environmental chemicals of concern to native fish species. The applicant will apply these methods to fish tissue collected during a sampling campaign in the autumn 2015 at the German river Holtemme by the RWTH Aachen.
Requirements
The applicants should be student in Environmental Sciences/Biology with a background in ecotoxicology. We prefer applicants having interests in combining the UROP stay at the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor thesis at the RWTH Aachen University. Applicants with some background experience in molecular biology are preferred.
Full Address
University of Saskatchewan
44 Campus Drive (Toxicology Centre)
S7N 5B3 Saskatoon
Canda
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