PhD project

Aquatic organisms are confronted with several anthropogenic and environmental stressors in both the natural environment and aquaculture. These stressors affect the aquatic animals at different organisational levels, from molecules to populations. The aim of my PhD is to investigate the universal molecular stress response and to evaluate relevant outcomes (e.g. mortality, behaviour, phenotype). The molecular stress response has been extensively studied. However, we aim to acquire further knowledge regarding the following questions:

1. What is the stress response of early developmental stages?
2. How do combine stressors affect important molecular pathways?
3. Can stressed individuals induce a stress response in other organisms using chemical cues?

To answer these questions, I will undertake experiments using zebrafish embryos and marine models. We are first focusing on the single and combined effects of pH, temperatures and xenobiotics. During this PhD, I will benefit from the expertise of the MolStressH2O cluster’s members to use different molecular tools (e.g. gene expression, protein quantification and post-translational modifications, epigenetic marks).

Background

I obtained a BSc in Biology of Organisms and Populations (UBO, France). As I am particularly interested in the physiology of marine organisms, I pursued an MSc at the European Institute for Marine Studies (IUEM, France). Throughout my university degrees, I had the opportunity to undertake several internships and experiments related to the stress response. I increased my awareness of the current issues in the marine environment during my student projects at Setec In Vivo (France) and Cedre (France). My master projects provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the molecular approaches used to support the aquaculture industry. First, I studied genes expressed during muscle growth and repair in rainbow trout (LPGP, INRA, France). During my internship at CIBNOR (La Paz, Mexico), I studied the effects of β-glucans in the fish immune system. With my past research experience and my current PhD project, I am now willing to study the molecular pathways of the stress in the context of the farming industry and the natural environment.