*** The Environmental Physiology lab (Environmental Physiology Lab | University of Jyväskylä (jyu.fi) ***
Led by Suvi Ruuskanen, our research fields are at the intersection of environmental sciences, ecotoxicology and physiological, behavioural and molecular ecology. We are broadly interested in the molecular and physiological mechanisms underlying organismal adaptation to environmental changes. These include, for example, physiology of stress and energetics, epigenetic and microbiome-mediated mechanisms. We also have passion for understanding transgenerational and developmental plasticity. We mostly use birds (passerine birds and Japanese quail) as our study models. We have multiple open Msc topics (see below), and we are open to other projects and Bsc/ internships.
*** APPLICATIONS ***
To apply, contact Suvi Ruuskanen (suvi.k.ruuskanen@jyu.fi) as soon as possible specifying your topic of choice.
Start date: Flexible (anytime in 2025).
*** TOPIC 1: Powerhouse of cells: Environmental influences on mitochondria ***
Animals need energy to thrive and survive. At the cellular level, energy is produced in mitochondria, the *powerhouse of cells*. Yet recent research suggests that there is large individual variation mitochondria numbers and function. We are interested in which environmental and individual factors contribute to mitochondria copy-number variation. For example how is temperature affecting mitochondria? Is there a link between gut microbiome and mitochondria? We study this in wild birds (captured across the winter) and captive birds experimentally reared in different temperatures and/or different gut microbiome manipulations.
-Required skills: Interest in physiology, some laboratory experience (samples have already been collected)
-Learning Opportunities: Laboratory assays of mitochondria mitochondria (qPCR), statistical analyses and writing
-Schedule: Anytime in 2025
-Supervisors: Suvi Ruuskanen, Charli Davies
*** TOPIC 2: Causal effects of microbiome on nutrient acquisition ***
The gut microbiome has a major influence on animal health and disease, but the causal effects of microbiome variation is still little understood in wild systems. We study experimentally how microbiome variation influences nutrient and energy acquisition from food.
-Required skills: Background in ecology or microbiology, interest in working with wild birds, some laboratory experience
-Learning Opportunities: Conducting experiments in wild birds, laboratory analyses (bomb calorimetry), statistics and writing
-Schedule: Experiments in Autumn-winter 2025, labwork winter 2025
-Supervisors: Suvi Ruuskanen, Maria Correia, Charli Davies
*** TOPIC 3: Microbiome variation in winter in wild birds ***
Environmental variation causes variation in microbiome, but the determinants are still poorly understand. A key environmental factor is likely temperature. We study how microbiome composition varies in winter using blue tits as the study model
-Required skills: Background in ecology or microbiology, some laboratory experience (samples have already been collected)
-Learning Opportunities: Microbiome lab analyses (extractions, PCR, library prep), bioinformatics, statistics and writing
-Schedule: Anytime in 2025
-Supervisors: Suvi Ruuskanen, Charli Davies
*** TOPIC 4: Does environmental lead exposure influence gut microbiome in birds? ***
Several pollutants may disrupt microbiome which could contribute to disease, but data from non-model systems is lacking. We study experimentally whether lead pollution exposure influences gut microbiome composition in developing and adult individuals (longitudinal and transgenerational studies).
-Required skills: Interest in ecotoxicology or microbiology, some laboratory experience (samples have already been collected)
-Learning Opportunities: Microbiome lab analyses (extractions, PCR, library prep), bioinformatics, statistics and writing
-Schedule: Anytime in 2025
-Supervisors: Lisandrina Mari, Suvi Ruuskanen, Charli Davies
*** About the Department of Biological and Environmental Science, University of Jyväskylä ***
The research focuses on three core areas: evolutionary biology, natural resources and environment, and biological nanoscience. The department houses high quality laboratories for bioscience and experimental facilities for a wide range of biological and chemical analyses as well as highly motivated laboratory personnel. The University of Jyväskylä is a humancentered environment of 2,500 experts and 14,500 students. Our goal is to create wisdom and wellbeing for all. JYU’s naturally beautiful campus is located in the heart of the city of Jyväskylä. JYU is the third largest employer in Central Finland.
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