Available MSc projects
If you want to join us for a masters project you can either register for the Arctic animal physiology masters program at UiT or if you are already on a MSc program at a different university you can register as an exchange student for the masters project: Exchange Masters project
You may also be able to start the project sooner than the application deadline listed under exchange student masters project, please contact us directly to find out.
Please note that for many of the projects involving animals the supervisors will need at least 6 months notice to set up the project before you are due to start with the work, so please contact us early.
Infection biology
Setaria tundra – a climate sensitive parasite in reindeer
Background
Mosquitoborne parasites like Setaria tundrae, Rumenfilaria andersoni and Onchocerca tarsicola have been reported previously in reindeer in Fennoscandia. However, the prevalence of filaroid parasites has not recently been studied in Norwegian reindeer. Infections attributable to a species of the genus Setaria appears to have emerged in Scandinavian reindeer in 1973 when there was outbreak of peritonitis. This outbreak also included Norwegian reindeer. Severe peritonitis and large numbers of Setaria sp. worms were found. There have also been large outbreaks since associated with warm summers in Finland. Reindeer with heavy infections of S. tundra express decreased thriftiness, poor body condition, and an undeveloped winter coat. Post mortem findings include ascites, fibrin deposits, adhesions, and the presence of S. tundra nematodes. Mosquitoes play an important role in the transmission of S. tundra and the rate of development in mosquitoes is highly temperature-dependent. S. tundra is a climate sensitive infection and we may therefore see an increase in the prevalence of such cases in reindeer as the Arctic temperature continues to rise.
Aim and objectives
The main aim is to investigate samples from three reindeer herds sampled during 2022, 2023 and 2024 for evidence of S. tundra-infection. The three herds are located in on a south – north gradient in Trøndelag, Nordland and Finnmark and they are part of the work performed in the NFR-project WELFED. If the student is interested, she/he may participate in the field during Q1/Q2 2024.
The main aim will be achieved through the following objectives;
- Blood samples will be examined for the presence of Setaria microfilaria by the modified Knott’s technique.
- Blood samples will be investigated for S. tundra antigen with molecular methods and compared with the Knott’s technique.
- Regional slaughterhouse survey, to match the three herds investigated, regarding the occurrence of peritonitis and liver lesions in reindeer.
- Results are analysed with special emphasis on climatic data.
Internal supervisors:
Ingebjørg H. Nymo ingebjorg.nymo@vetinst.no
Monica Sundset monica.a.sundset@uit.no
External supervisors: Rebecca Davidson, The Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Kayla Buhler, Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences.
Eimeria spp. in Svalbard rock ptarmigan
Background
Various subspecies of rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) are found across the Northern Hemisphere. The Svalbard rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta hyperborea) is the world northernmost land bird and the only herbivorous bird native to Svalbard.
Seven species of Eimeria have been described in four different rock ptarmigan subspecies. Two species of Eimeria, that presently is in the process of being described, are found in the Svalbard rock ptarmigan population (unpublished results), but little is known about the species in Svalbard. We also know little about the impact that these parasites might have on host population dynamics in Svalbard, however, it is known that endoparasites may contribute to population cycles in ptarmigan and grouse.
Svalbard rock ptarmigan are bred and kept for research purposes in captivity at UiT The Arctic University of Norway. Wild rock ptarmigans from Svalbard are brought in to the facility on a regular basis. Despite quarantine and disinfection measures, Eimeria spp. infection remains a recurring problem in Svalbard rock ptarmigan chicks held in captivity at UiT.
We hence need more information about Eimeria spp. in Svalbard rock ptarmigan both in the wild and in captivity at UiT to understand the effect of this parasite on the population dynamics in the wild, and to handle the recurring problem at UiT.
Project aim and objectives
The main aim of this project is to characterize and compare Eimeria spp. from rock ptarmigan at UiT and at Svalbard, this goal will be achieved through the following objectives;
- Morphological and qualitative evaluation of Eimeria spp. in rock ptarmigan faecal samples from Svalbard. The sample gathering will be in cooperation with Eva Fuglei, The Norwegian Polar Institute (Q2 2024). The student will need to apply for an Arctic Field Grant to cover their travel and subsistence costs for the fieldwork (application deadline 15th November 2023, 13:00). This will be done in collaboration with the project supervisors.
- Morphological and qualitative evaluation of Eimeria spp. in faecal samples from chicks hatched and reared in captivity at UiT (Q2 and Q3 2024). Obs. This will require laboratory work throughout the summer 2024.
- Comparison of sporulation dynamics of Eimeria oocysts from rock ptarmigan at Svalbard and in captivity at UiT (Q2 and Q3 2024). Obs. This will require laboratory work throughout the summer 2024.
- Molecular characterization of Eimeria oocysts from rock ptarmigan at Svalbard and in captivity UiT (Q4 2024 and Q1 2025). Supervisors will apply for external funding for this objective.
Internal supervisors
Ingebjørg H. Nymo (ingebjorg.nymo@vetinst.no) and Monica Sundset (monica.a.sundset@uit.no)
External supervisors
Rebecca Davidson (The Norwegian Veterinary Institute) and Eva Fuglei (The Norwegian Polar Institute)
Hibernation
Thyroid hormone regulation of mitochondrial activity in hibernation
Ever wonder how a hibernator re-warms itself? This project focuses on an endocrine tissue called brown fat which produces heat through uncoupled mitochrondria to re-warm the whole animal. In order to prepare for the hibernation season thyroid hormone levels in the brain are altered, this project will look at the effect of changing thyroid hormone levels in the brown adipose tissue on thermogenesis. The student will:
- Work with hibernating golden hamsters
- Isolate brown adipose tissue to make cell cultures
- Measure mitochondrial respiration in brown adipose tissue at different temperatures
- Manipulate thyroid hormone within this system
Contact David Hazlerigg or Shona Wood (David.hazlerigg@uit.no or shona.wood@uit.no )
Behavioural analysis of hibernating and non-hibernating strategies
Golden hamsters prepare for winter by lowering their body temperature to approximately 33C, some take this a step further initiating full hibernation by periodically lowering their body temperature to 8C! This project will compare the two winter strategies calculating activity, food intake and energy expenditure over the winter season. The student will:
- Work with hibernating golden hamsters
- Monitor food and water intake
- Use of infrared monitoring and time-lapse video monitoring to estimate activity and activity types
- Perform home cage metabolic rate monitoring
- Analyse body temperature data
Contact Shona Wood (shona.wood@uit.no )
Do ptarmigan use torpor (“hibernation”)?
Svalbard ptarmigan have remarkable adaptations to survive the arctic winter, increasing fat stores and plumage to maintain body temperature. Torpor is a state metabolic rate suppression which leads to a regulated lowering of body temperature, multiple species of bird use torpor to save energy. The aim of this project is to determine whether the Svalbard ptarmigan employs this strategy. The student will:
- Work with Svalbard ptarmigan
- Remotely monitor body temperature
- Use thermal imaging
- Cold challenge ptarmigan
- Metabolic rate measurement in ptarmigan
Contact Shona Wood (shona.wood@uit.no )
Fish physiology
Testing the endogenous basis of semi-lunar rhythms in Rainbow Trout growth and behaviour
Several labs have now isolated the molecular underpinning of lunar clocks in invertebrates, however, despite many descriptive reports, whether the lunar phase entrains timing mechanisms in vertebrates remains a mystery. Building on classical studies in rainbow trout, we will test entrainment of semi-lunar growth patterns in a lab setting and determine if they are a passive consequence of lunar light in the environment, or driven by an internal timer. This project requires a motivated student who will:
- Work with Rainbow Trout
- Develop a lunar-mimic light system
- Monitor growth patterns of lunar entrained and free running trout
- Independently develop an automated activity analysis using idtracker software.
Recommended reading:
Kaiser T and Neumann J (2021) Circalunar clocks—Old experiments for a new era. Bioessays. 2021;43:2100074. doi: 10.1002/bies.202100074
Supplementary methods from - Audira G et al., (2019) Establishing simple image-based methods and a cost-effective instrument for toxicity assessment on circadian rhythm dysregulation in fish. Biology Open. 8, bio041871. doi:10.1242/bio.041871
Contact Alex West (alexander.c.west@uit.no )
Smoltification in salmon and/or immune function in salmon
Contact David Hazlerigg (David.hazlerigg@uit.no) to discuss further.
Chronobiology - seasonal & circadian
Overwintering strategies and activity rhythms in a living fossil
The living fossil lepidurus arcticus is found in ephemeral pools and permanent freshwater lakes on Svalbard. There are two potential avenues of research:
- A characterisation of the daily (circadian) activity and gene rhythms in Lepidurus arcticus
- The effect of light and temperature on the timing of hatching of overwintering Lepidurus arcticus
At present, we don't know if L. arcticus responds to photoperiod, if it has a biological clock and if it has a rhythmic expression of the clock genes. Knowledge of life cycle can be useful for understand the biological rhythms in this and other high arctic species. Moreover, climate change studies predict a special effect in high-latitude lakes (Giorgi et al., 1997), which includes longer ice-free periods. Changes in the length of the ice-free period may have differential effects on the development of species, altering the zooplankton community structure.
The student will:
- Conduct field work on Svalbard at our Adventdalen research station
- Monitor activity in Lepidurus using custom made infrared activity rigs
- Collect RNA from Lepidurus and measure gene expression
- Design light and temperature controlled experiments to monitor hatching rates
Contact David Hazlerigg or Shona Wood (David.hazlerigg@uit.no or shona.wood@uit.no )
Calcium appetite in reindeer
Every year reindeers grow a new set of antlers, a process requiring a vast amount of calcium. But how do reindeers get all this calcium? An intriguing hypothesis is that during times of intensive antler growth, changes in sensory perception mean that reindeers find the taste of calcium more pleasant and get better at detecting calcium in foods that they eat. This project will test these ideas by examining behavioural responses to calcium in reindeers at different periods of the antler cycle. The student will:
- Work with the herd of reindeer at UiT
- Use activity-logging devices to assess preference for different salts
- Analyse licking patterns for different concentrations of calcium
- Compare male and female behaviour across time
Contact David Hazlerigg or Jaime McCutcheon (David.hazlerigg@uit.no or james.e.mccutcheon@uit.no )
Clocks and chronotypes of wild Arctic songbirds
(students interested in joining the breeding season fieldwork should contact Barbara as soon as possible)
We have opportunities to study circadian clocks, daily rhythms and chronotypes of wild free-living songbirds (great tits, blue tits, willow tits or pied flycatchers). Students may develop their own research projects and are welcome to contact Barbara to discuss their ideas. Depending on the season, topics can range from: a) basic characterization of rhythms of individually marked birds in the field (especially during the polar night and midnight sun); b) studying how activity patterns relate to reproductive success and survival; c) impacts of artificial light at night on daily/seasonal rhythms; d) studying the circadian clock of songbirds during the polar night and midnight sun; e) other studies involving behavioural tests (personality, cognition) may also be possible depending on the season.
Activities can involve:
- Fieldwork with songbirds in Tromsø during the breeding season in spring and/or in winter.
- Monitoring activity patterns of songbirds in the field using feeders or loggers.
- Participating in mist netting campaigns and assisting with bird ringing.
- (in spring) monitoring bird nests (including counting eggs and chicks, measuring and ringing chicks).
Contact Barbara Tomotani (barbara.m.tomotani@uit.no )
Evolution of biological clocks in land snails
We are establishing a new animal species to be a model for studying selection of biological clocks in nature: the copse snail. We have the opportunity to study biological clocks, daily rhythms and winter dormancy both in laboratory and in the field. Being a new model species, there are plenty of possibilities for students to develop their own research projects. Students are welcome to get in touch with Barbara to discuss their ideas.
Depending on the season, topics can range from: a) basic characterization of rhythms; b) experimentation with winter dormancy; c) circadian clock during the “midnight sun”; d) big data approach to determine winter dormancy in land snails; e) other studies involving behavioural tests (e.g., personality), heritability of traits, and ecological biogeography may also be possible.
Activities can involve:
- Conducting fieldwork to collect snails.
- Breeding snails in the lab.
- Monitoring activity and behaviour of snails in the lab with a digital tracking system.
- Conducting genetic analyses.
- Conducting analyses using large databases,
Contact Barbara Tomotani (barbara.m.tomotani@uit.no )
Other
Is adaptive fat metabolism important for Svalbard Ptarmigan hydration during freezing Arctic winters?
Svalbard ptarmigan undergo a huge seasonal change in body mass. Regulation of body mass in Svalbard Ptarmigan is dependent on seasonal photoperiod, but also temperature – cold exposed ptarmigan lose mass through the winter, whereas ptarmigan kept above freezing temperatures maintain a high body mass until spring. As both groups of ptarmigan are well within their thermoneutral zone this difference in body mass is not simply the consequence of higher energy expenditure under a larger thermal gradient. Instead, we hypothesise that body mass decline in cold exposed birds reflects a changing metabolic program that minimizes energy required to absorb liquid water. Rather than eat snow, which must then be melted and warmed to body temperature – a costly process, cold-exposed birds adopt an energetically more favourable strategy that liberates metabolic water from stored fat. To test this hypothesis we will characterize the metabolic program and water turnover in Svalbard ptarmigan exposed to cold and non-freezing temperatures. To achieve this the student will:
- Work with Svalbard ptarmigan
- Use climate controlled chambers
- Measure metabolic rate by indirect calorimetry
- Remotely monitor body temperature and heart rate
- Measure water balance using the double labelled water method
Recommended reading:
Stokkan K. et al (1995) Photoperiodic and ambient temperature control of the annual body mass cycle in Svalbard ptarmigan. Journal of Comparative Physiology B. doi: 10.1007/BF00387306
Riek A et al., (2021) Daily energy expenditure and water turnover in two breeds of laying hens kept in floor housing. Animal. Vol15(1), 100047. doi: 10.1016/j.animal.2020.100047
Contact Alex West (alexander.c.west@uit.no )
