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Impact of insecticides on the fish developing nervous system
Insecticides are extensively used in Switzerland and all over the world to control pests and pathogens in medicine, households, and agriculture. Via spray drift, leaching or run-off they find their way into the aquatic environment where they pose a risk to non-target organisms, such as fish. Toxic e
We would like to understand the causes underlying the potential locomotion defects in fishes elicited by developmental insecticide exposure. Moreover, we will investigate whether there are critical periods during the development and to what extent adverse effects can be reversed.
METHODS: We will use zebrafish larvae in this study, because behavioral responses can easily be measured and their transparent brain and body allows the use of imaging techniques for the assessment of neuronal defects. We will measure locomotor behavior of larval zebrafish, which have been exposed to insecticides during different stages of their development using a fully automated video tracking system. Neuromuscular defects will be investigated by fluorescent immunohistochemistry and confocal imaging analysis.
The candidate will learn how to 1) breed zebrafish and handle eggs and larvae; 2) measure and analyze zebrafish behavior; 3) perform fluorescent immunostainings, confocal microscopy and imaging analysis.
Suitable candidates for this project are expected to hold a BSc degree in biology, environmental sciences or a related discipline and should have a genuine interest in neuroscience.
We would like to understand the causes underlying the potential locomotion defects in fishes elicited by developmental insecticide exposure. Moreover, we will investigate whether there are critical periods during the development and to what extent adverse effects can be reversed.
METHODS: We will use zebrafish larvae in this study, because behavioral responses can easily be measured and their transparent brain and body allows the use of imaging techniques for the assessment of neuronal defects. We will measure locomotor behavior of larval zebrafish, which have been exposed to insecticides during different stages of their development using a fully automated video tracking system. Neuromuscular defects will be investigated by fluorescent immunohistochemistry and confocal imaging analysis. The candidate will learn how to 1) breed zebrafish and handle eggs and larvae; 2) measure and analyze zebrafish behavior; 3) perform fluorescent immunostainings, confocal microscopy and imaging analysis. Suitable candidates for this project are expected to hold a BSc degree in biology, environmental sciences or a related discipline and should have a genuine interest in neuroscience.
For further information please contact Colette vom Berg (Colette.vomberg@eawag.ch) and Sarah Könemann (Sarah.Koenemann@eawag.ch). This work will be performed at Eawag in the department of Environmental Toxicology in Dübendorf.
For further information please contact Colette vom Berg (Colette.vomberg@eawag.ch) and Sarah Könemann (Sarah.Koenemann@eawag.ch). This work will be performed at Eawag in the department of Environmental Toxicology in Dübendorf.