MSc thesis project advertisement
Names of the supervisors: Alexander Eiler, Olli Hyv?rinen
Preferred project period: September 2025 – June 2027
Background
Environmental DNA (eDNA) has revolutionized marine biodiversity monitoring. By capturing traces of DNA shed by organisms into their environment e.g. through skin cells, mucus and feces, eDNA metabarcoding allows us to detect elusive, rare, and invasive species with high sensitivity. However, eDNA methods still face limitations including the prevalence of false positive and false negative observations. A key source of the uncertainty stems from the fact that eDNA exists in multiple states in the environment. Yet, current eDNA methods do not routinely distinguish between different eDNA states, and no standardized protocols exist for separating them in marine systems with low DNA concentrations.
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eDNA states |
Characteristics |
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Intracellular DNA |
DNA still contained within cells, which decays more slowly than free eDNA, but more rapidly than adsorbed eDNA |
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Adsorbed eDNA |
DNA bound to particles, which protects it and prolongs its persistence. |
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Free eDNA |
dissolved, extracellular DNA that breaks down rapidly. |
Project description
In this project, you will contribute to developing and testing a novel method to separate eDNA into its different fractions (f-eDNA, a-eDNA, i-DNA). The method will be optimized for marine water samples with low DNA concentrations, such as those from the Oslofjord, and tested under real world conservation monitoring scenarios. In your project, you will carry out experiments to evaluate the feasibility, reproducibility, and ecological relevance of the method.
Learning outcomes
After the completion of the project, you have better understanding of eDNA ecology and its applications in biodiversity monitoring, skills in molecular laboratory methods, including DNA extraction, library preparation for metabarcoding, bioinformatics and statistical analyses, experimental design and method development, as well sa critical thinking particularly in the context of environmental conservation and data uncertainty.
What We Offer
We offer an inclusive and stimulating research environment where you are encouraged to join the research group activities and engage with other students and researchers in the group. The project includes laboratory work at UiO and a potential field component in and around the Oslofjord.
If you are interested
Please contact us for instance via email.