I nstitute of A gricultural Sciences
ETH Zürich
Animal Physiology
Universitätstr. 2 LFW B 57.1
8092 Zürich
Dr. med. vet. Barbara Drews
[email protected]
Zürich, May 21 2015
The group Animal Physiology at the Institute of Agricultural Sciences of ETH Zurich
has an opening for 2 fully funded doctoral positions.
Research Project: “Regulation of diapause in the Roe deer”
Background:
Embryonic diapause is a physiological reversible arrest of embryo development that can last
several months. Diapause uncouples mating from delivery and allows birth to take place when
the offspring has the best chance of survival. During diapause, the embryo is hosted in the
uterus without placental supply until reactivation and implantation occur. The intrauterine
environment, namely the histotroph, plays a crucial role in providing a milieu permissive to the
needs of the embryo. It is here that embryonic and maternal secretions compile and signals can
be intercepted. To date, neither the signals regulating entry into diapause nor the factors
responsible for embryonic reactivation are known. This project aims at solving the unknown
regulation of diapause in roe deer. The specific composition of the histotroph will be analyzed in
detail before, during and after diapause to determine (i) its maternal and embryonic
contribution to the developmental velocity of the embryo and (ii) the physiological mechanisms
hallmarking the developmental velocity of embryos in vivo. This is of particular interest for
artificial reproductive techniques in further species including livestock and human. The PhD will
be part of an interdisciplinary team of researchers that will combine complementary ex vivo
field studies, in vivo trials and in vitro embryo culture and introduce cutting-edge technologies
comprising embryo culture, proteome and metabolome analysis, RNA sequencing,
transcriptome analysis, tandem mass spectrometry and confocal microscopy to address the
research questions.
Specific Objectives include:
• To collect, process and store Roe deer samples from the field in the course of hunting
•
•
•
•
actions
To establish in vitro short time culture of Roe deer embryos
To analyse the embryonic secretome in the supernatant of the short time embryo culture
To assist in veterinary procedures such as embryo flushing and embryo transfer in vivo
To differentiate between maternal and embryonic signals involved in the regulation of
diapause
Requirements:
Applicants should have a degree in Veterinary Medicine, Agricultural Sciences, Biology or related
fields. The doctoral candidate should be able to work independently in the field. He/she is
expected to find solutions to arising problems and to integrate in the structure of the research
team.
Starting date and project duration:
The doctoral candidate should start as soon as possible. The doctoral thesis should be
completed within a three-year period.
Application procedure and closing date:
The application should include a letter of motivation and CV. For further information please
contact Dr. med.vet. Barbara Drews ([email protected]). The position will be
opened until filled.