We offer two master’s projects on the diversity and distribution of marine oomycetes associated with macroalgae/seaweeds (Fucus serratus and Ascophyllum nodosum). Work will be done at the Department of Biosciences (IBV, UiO) and at the Norsk institutt for vannforskning (NIVA). Background Oomycetes are filamentous, “fungus-like” microbial eukaryotes that can live as either parasites or saprotrophs on a large range of organisms. Parasitic species are notorious for causing terrestrial crop and tree loss, such as potato blight and sudden oak death. DNA-based studies have revealed that oomycetes are an abundant and species-rich group of eukaryotes. Currently, there are >1200 named oomycete species, but it has been estimated that only around 10% of the global oomycete species diversity is known. New species are being discovered at a high pace, and the pathogenicity and host range of these novel taxa are often unknown. Despite the ubiquity and ecological importance of marine oomycetes, their diversity and distribution patterns in Norway are largely unknown, and basic information about taxonomy and epidemiology of marine oomycete seaweed pathogens in Norway has so far been a black box.
What do we want to accomplish?
The key objective is to improve our understanding of parasitic oomycetes associated with two common and ecologically important macroalgae along the Norwegian coast.
How do we want to achieve our goal?
Samples of Fucus serratus (serrated wrack/sagtang) and Ascophyllum nodosum (knotted wrack/grisetang) have already been collected from different ecoregions along the Norwegian coast an Artsdatabanken-funded project and through different ongoing monitoring projects at NIVA. We aim to assess which oomycete species that are associated with these seaweed species in Norway and how they are spatially distributed along the Norwegian coast. Since the majority of Oomycetes are uncultivable, molecular methods will be used to reveal the diversity of this enigmatic group of seaweed parasites. These methods include DNA isolation, PCR amplification and sequencing. To capture as much diversity as possible, the students will examine the seasonal/temporal variation in seaweed-associated oomycetes at a field location in south of Norway (Oslofjorden). Here we will also investigate the diversity of oomycetes in marine water masses using eDNA methodology to capture diversity signals at a larger scale, the “free-living” diversity.
What will you learn?
? How to isolate DNA from environmental samples and from macroalgae (i.e., samples that can be challenging due to high levels of polysaccharides and polyphenols)
? Metabarcoding and how to handle large environmental sequencing datasets. Bioinformatic skills that are applicable to analysing a broad range of ecological and evolutionary problems
? How to perform and document your analyses with R language and GitHub
? How to present their research in a scientific talk and how to write a scientific paper.
What can we offer?
We offer a safe space for learning through achievements and failures, alone and in partnership with others. We welcome individuals of all ages, backgrounds, beliefs, ethnicities, genders, gender identities, gender expressions, national origins, religious affiliations, sexual orientations, and any other visible and non-visible differences. All members of our research groups are expected to contribute to a respectful, welcoming and inclusive environment for every other member.
Supervisors Students will be supervised by Marit Bjorb?kmo at the Norsk institutt for vannforskning (NIVA) and Adriana Lopes dos Santos at the Department of Biosciences. Contact info Marit Bjorb?kmo: mmb@niva.no Adriana Lopes dos Santos: a.l.d.santos@ibv.uio.no.