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The research at the Laboratory of Molecular Ecology at the Centre for Ecosystem Studies ranges from vertebrates and invertebrates to plants. At the moment emphasis is on mammals, birds and trees although insects, soil macro fauna, reptiles and amphibians also belong to our scope.
A wide variety of molecular methods are used, among others, Microsatellites, S-alleles, SNP-detection and genetic barcoding using mtDNA, cpDNA or rDNA. Mostly the research involves DNA-samples of a non-invasive or historical origin, which means they are often of a low quality and quantity, which brings about several challenges in working with them. The research is applied mostly in the fields of forensic-, quantitative-, molecular- and conservation genetics and genomics.
Purpose of the research:
The research is applied both nationally and internationally to monitor a wide variety of animal and plant populations. This can be after reintroduction of a locally (nearly) extinct species, such as the Eurasian otter, common hamster or black grouse, or for monitoring of (threatened) natural populations as wild boar, pine marten, adder and yellow-bellied toad but also poplar, oak and rooibos.
Description of the work:
The internship or thesis will mostly involve molecular laboratory work such as DNA extractions, analysis of DNA quality and quantity and performing genotyping techniques. Next to this work there is also the possibility to do some fieldwork like the gathering of non-invasive samples or tot do (statistical) analyses of the generated genetic data. The exact activities will be discussed with the student. His or her interests and learning goals will be considered as much as possible. The work will be, as much as possible, for one research project (and thus probably on one species), so that a clearly defined project can be designed.
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