The influence of genotype on ecotoxicogenomic responses of springtails to heavy metals in soil
Background
Environmental pollution is a worldwide problem threatening ecosystems and human health. In soil metals are the largest group of polluting compounds. Soil-dwelling springtails (Collembola), such as Folsomia candida, are ecologically relevant indicator species for soil toxicity, and are therefore often used for environmental toxicological assessment. Different strains (genotypes) of this species exert different toxicological responses to certain heavy metals. Some strains are more resistant and others are more sensitive to metals than others. Currently, it is unclear which molecular mechanism/genes are responsible for the differential stress responses. Microarray gene expression profiling can elucidate molecular mechanisms responsible for these different toxicological responses.
The aim of this student project is to identify strains of F. candida that are significantly more resistant (or sensitive) to certain metals than others. Subsequently, microarray analysis will be used to discover the molecular mechanisms responsible for the different responses. This is a multi-disciplinary study with elements of ecotoxicology and molecular biology, in combination with statistical analyses.
Approaches
Standardized ecotoxicological tests will be used to evaluate which metal (e.g., Ba, Cr, Cd, Pb, and Zn) causes significant different responses in different strains of F. candida. The metal that shows the largest difference in effect between the different strains will be selected for microarray gene expression analysis. Bioinformatic tools, and gene annotation information available in public databases, will be used to interpret the molecular mechanisms responsible for the resistance/sensitivity.
Supervision and information
Benjamin Nota (Room H119, W&N building, Vrije Universiteit)
Email: ben.nota@falw.vu.nl
Ph: +31-20-5987217
Dr. Ir. Dick Roelofs (Room H147, W&N building, Vrije Universiteit)
Email: dick.roelofs@falw.vu.nl
Ph: +31-20-5987078
