Title of the PhD thesis
Exploring the Molecular Basis of Anoxia Tolerance in Crucian Carp using Comparative Transcriptomics and Genomics
Main research findings
Crucian carp can survive for months without oxygen during cold winters. Most vertebrates would die within minutes or hours under the same conditions. My thesis provides new genetic resources and clues that can help researchers understand this remarkable ability.
I produced a high-quality, chromosome-level genome map for crucian carp. This makes it easier to study its genes accurately and to compare it with related fish. I then compared gene activity during oxygen deprivation in crucian carp and goldfish, a close relative that is less tolerant of long-term oxygen loss. Both species responded to the lack of oxygen, but their responses differed. Goldfish showed broader signs of stress and cell damage, while crucian carp showed a more fine-tuned response with less stress.
I also examined how genome architecture and duplicated genes have changed during carp evolution. The results suggest that crucian carp’s tolerance is not explained by one special gene. Instead, it likely depends on several interacting processes, including energy metabolism, control of gene activity, and changes that occurred during evolution.
Understanding how fish cope with extreme environments is important for biology, conservation, and aquaculture. This reference genome can support future studies of fish health, environmental stress, and adaptation.
Trial lecture
The candidate will first give a trial lecture on the following topic:
From Extreme Animal Adaptations to Medical Applications: Successes, Challenges and Future Directions
Adjudication committee
- Associate Professor Jukka-Pekka Verta, Faculty of Biosciences and Aquaculture, Nord University, Norway
- Senior Lecturer Gina Galli, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Division of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Manchester, UK
- Professor Finn-Eirik Johansen, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Norway
Chair of the defense
- Professor Kjetill S. Jakobsen, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Norway
Supervisors
- Associate Professor Sjannie Lefevre, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Norway
- Researcher Sissel Jentoft, Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Norway
Organiser
Department of Biosciences.