PhD student position in the molecular basis of circadian rhythms in echinoderm larvae

Timing mechanisms influence physiology and behavior of most living organisms on Earth and are crucial for optimal adaptation to the environment. A great deal of attention has been dedicated in the last years to circadian rhythms, molecular adaptation systems that synchronize cellular processes to the diurnal environmental periodicities, influencing organismal health and fitness.

Echinoderms are benthic organisms as adults, but have free-swimming planktonic larvae, representing a crucial life cycle stage for individual dispersion. The anatomical complexity and the wide repertoire of neuronal cell types discovered in echinoderm larvae points at a complex regulation of larval behavior in response to environmental stimuli (e.g., the regulation of ciliary beating for swimming and/or to catch food). Also, due to their phylogenetic position (non-chordate deuterostomes), echinoderms are ideal model systems to explore gene family evolution in animals.

Daily rhythms of vertical migration in echinoderm larvae are known since decades and experiments investigating the influence of light on sea urchin larvae revealed that plutei utilize light to direct their swimming behavior. However, a detailed study of the effect of light-dark alternation on echinoderm larval physiology and behavior and of the mechanistic basis underlining these responses is missing. The aim of this project is to explore the molecular basis of diel rhythms in echinoderm larvae using multidisciplinary approaches including transcriptomics, mathematical modeling, gene perturbation and behavioral analyses.

The representatives of the two main echinoderm groups presenting different larval types (the Echinozoa sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus and the Asterozoa sea star Patiria miniata) will be exploited to explore the ability of larvae with different morphologies to adapt and cope with periodicities in the marine environment.

The position is funded for 3 years. Candidates must hold a MSc degree in biology, biochemistry or related fields. Expertise in molecular biology techniques are desired but not required.

Internal supervisor: Dr. Rossella Annunziata, SZN

External supervisor: Prof. Kristin Tessmar, Research Platform Rhythms of Life, University of Vienna

FOR INFO CONTACT: rossella.annunziata@szn.it

TO APPLY: https://www.szn.it/index.php/en/education/doctorate-%E2%80%93-international-phd-iii-level/how-to-apply