a) Immediate thesis opening

Diploma thesis in bioinformatics

We invite highly motivated students with a keen interest in bioinformatics to apply for a diploma/master thesis.

We developed a new approach for the DNA-based identification of organisms, the “character—based DNA barcoding” (Rach et al. 2008). Here, organisms are assigned to taxonomic groups (species, genera, populations) through specific combinations of character states within short DNA fragments. Specific characters can be easily identified by means of the quite powerful CAOS algorithm (Sarkar et al. 2002).

Thesis objectives:

Software development for the identification of organisms through “character-based DNA barcodes”

Expansion of the currently used algorithms from single to combined characteristic attributes identification

Qualifications:

• Strong interest in bioinformatics

• Prior knowledge of basic programming languages (primarily ruby and perl)

• Familiar with Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger (and later)

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b) Research opportunities for undergraduates and graduate students

    Freie Themen für Examens-, Diplom- und Promotionsarbeiten

I. Evolution of development
Evolutionäre Entwicklungsgenetik

Hox genes and the evolution of the "head": characterization of Cnox genes in Cnidaria
Hox-Gene und die Evolution des "Kopfes": Charakterisierung von Cnox-Genen in Nesseltieren

Hox genes and the evolution of the "head": characterization of Hox genes in sponges and ctenophores
Hox-Gene und die Evolution des "Kopfes": Charakterisierung von Hox-Genen in Schwämmen und Rippenquallen

Hox genes and the evolution of the "head": characterization of Hox genes in Placozoa
Hox-Gene und die Evolution des "Kopfes": Charakterisierung von Hox-Genen in Nesseltieren

II. Phylogenetics of Early Diverging Metazoan Groups

Genetic diversity and biogeographic patterns of Placozoa
Genetisches Spektrum und biogeographische Muster von Placozoa

Phylogeny of Cnidaria and cnidarian subgroups
Die Phylogenese von Nesseltieren und deren Untergruppen
 
The early phylogenetic history of Metazoa
Die frühe phylogenetische Geschichte von Metazoa

III. Analyses of mitochondrial transcriptomes
Analysen mitochondrialer Transkriptome

Trancriptomes of placozoan mitochondria
Mitochondriale Transkriptome der Placozoa 

IV. Ecological field work in the nature reserve Riddagshausen near Braunschweig
Ökologische Arbeiten im Europareservat Riddagshausen bei Braunschweig

Behavioral ecology of libullid dragonflies
Verhaltensökologie von Segellibellen

Conservation genetics of libellulid dragonflies
Artenschutzgenetik von Segellibellen

Evolution of mating systems in dragonflies
Evolution von Paarungssystemen in Großlibellen

Population dynamics and micro-habitat use in Gerris (Heteroptera: Gerromorpha)
Populationsdynamik und Mikrohabitatnutzung von Wasserläufern (Heteroptera: Gerromorpha)

Habitat preferences in different species of Corixidae (Heteroptera; Corixidae)
Habitatansprüche verschiedener Ruderwanzenarten (Heteroptera; Corixidae)

Species diversity and micro-habitat usage in different species of Nepomorpha (Heteroptera: Nepomorpha)
Artenspektrum und Mikrohabitatnutzung der Wasserwanzen (Heteroptera: Nepomorpha)

Predator- and parasite complex of the Erlenblattkäfers Agelastica alni (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae): Experimental analysis and literature research
Der Räuber- und Parasitenkomplex des Erlenblattkäfers Agelastica alni (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae): Experimentelle Analyse und Literaturauswertung


V. Conservation genetics of dragonflies in Namibia (different projects)
Artenschutzgenetik von Libellen in Namibia (verschiedene Einzelthemen)


Conservation genetics of dragonflies in the nature reserve Riddagshausen (different projects)
Artenschutzgenetik von Libellen im Europareservat Riddagshausen (verschiedene Einzelthemen)

Conservation genetics of endangered amphibiens in the nature reserve Riddagshausen (different projects)
Artenschutzgenetik bedrohter Amphibien im Europareservat Riddagshausen (verschiedene Einzelthemen)

Conservation genetics of reef building corals
Artenschutzgenetik riffbildender Korallen