Entre los 15 contratos que ofrece IMPRESS, desde la UPV ofertamos dos:
PhD topic: Development of innovative
methods for induction of male maturation and determination of sperm quality
biomarkers in European eel
Supervisor and contact person: Professor Juan F. Asturiano (Email: jfastu@dca.upv.es)
Co-supervisors: Dr. Sylvie Dufour
(MNHN)/Dr. Finn-Arne Weltzien (NMBU)
Project
Description
The main objectives of this PhD project are:
to develop innovative methods for European eel sperm production, by using
thermal regimes, salinity pre-conditioning and recombinant hormones as
alternative methods to reduce the costs (time, fish handling-stress, hormones,
environmental impact, number of required fish) of the standard hormonal
treatments currently used. Also, to determine the effect of these alternative
methods on the expression of testicular candidate biomarker genes for sperm
quality (e.g. PLC-Z or aquaporins).
Collaborating Partners
During the 3-year project period the student will spend up to 8 months
at other partner institutes. This mobility will enhance multidisciplinary
training of the student, and give him/her important experience of both academic
and non-academic sectors. For PhD position 5, the student will spend periods at
the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU, Oslo) for a training in basic
molecular biology and identification of genetic biomarkers of sperm quality; at
the company PROiSER R&D (Paterna, Valencia) for a training in sperm quality
assessment; at the company ZF-SCREENS (Leiden) for a collaboration on the
effect of recombinant hormones (to avoid standard hormonal treatments); and at
the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle (MNHN, Paris) for a training in qPCR
analyses and gene phylogeny.
Main methods:
a) Fish treatments and sampling;
b) Microscopy (computer-assisted sperm analysis); c) Flow cytometry; d) Gene
expression analysis
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PhD topic: Improvement of techniques
for sperm quality evaluation and cryobanking in European eel
Supervisor and contact person: Professor Juan F. Asturiano (Email: jfastu@dca.upv.es)
Co-supervisors: Dr. Martin
Psenicka (USB), Dr. Carles Soler (PROiSER R&D)
Project
Description
The main objectives of this PhD project are:
i) to improve short and long-term preservation protocols for sperm handling and
eel (fish) genome cryobanking, with standardization of protocols as final
target; ii) to explore the applicability of spermatogonia freezing and
Primordial Germ Cell (PGCs) transplantation techniques in the European eel;
iii) to collaborate in the improvement of tools for sperm quality evaluation
(specific CASA software development; design and application of a cooling plate
for microscopes and a counting chamber).
Collaborating Partners
During the 3-year project period the student will spend up to 8
months at other partner institutes. This mobility will enhance
multidisciplinary training of the student, and give him/her important
experience of both academic and non-academic sectors. For PhD position 6, the
student will spend periods at the University of South Bohemia for a basic
training on Primordial Germ Cell (PGCs) transplantation techniques,
manipulation of fish eggs and PGCs labelling; at the company PROiSER R&D
(Paterna, Valencia) for a collaboration in the design of a prototype with two
components: a microscope cooling plate and a counting chamber, as well as a collaboration
in the evaluation of the effect of temperature on sperm motility; and at the Muséum
National d’Histoire Naturelle (MNHN, Paris) for a training for in situ
hybridization, and immunocytochemistry.
Main methods:
a) Fish treatments and sampling;
b) Microscopy (computer-assisted sperm analysis); c) Flow cytometry; d) Gene
expression; e) Cell cryopreservation
...................................................
Qualifications
In addition to meeting the
general qualifications, the ideal candidate will have a strong biological
background, ideally a degree or Master in aquaculture, fish biology or
behaviour, and have a strong interest on the conservation and management of
fishes. Previous experience with fish handling and/or laboratory work will be
welcome.
According to EU regulations candidate students cannot have resided
for more than 12 months during the previous 3 years in the prospective host
country. Further information about the project can be obtained by contacting
the assigned supervisor, and also by visiting the IMPRESS website (www.impress-itn.eu).
Application
deadline: April 1, 2015
Starting date:
June 1, 2015
