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Research Projects
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Tonia S. Schwartz |
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Orchid, Sabah, Borneo |
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Pitcher plant, Sabah, Borneo |
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As a first year PhD student in the Interdepartmental Genetics Program I have been doing research rotations in the labs of: 1) Professor JoAnne Powell-Coffman 2) Drs. Jeanne Serb and Heather Greenlee 3) Dr. Steven Proulx 4) Dr. Anne Bronikowski |
Currently….. |
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Uncoupling proteins are a family of proteins that function in the membrane of the mitochondria. The members of this family have various functions, most of which are not fully understood. Recently, we have discovered uncoupling proteins 2 and 3 being expressed in a reptile. We are currently in the process of characterizing these genes and their functions in reptiles. |
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Evolution of Endothermy. Work in collaboration with Dr Frank Seebacher and Dr. Mike Thompson University of Sydney |
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What are the molecular differences between birds and reptiles that allow birds (and mammals) to be endothermic (warm-blooded)? To gain insight on this question, we are looking at enzyme activities and gene expression of key metabolic enzymes, along with mitochondrial respiration throughout developmental stages of alligators and chickens. |
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Wobbegong Sharks: Identification of a cryptic species of wobbegong shark along east coast Australia. In collaboration with Dr Luciano Beheregaray, Shannon Corrigan at Macquarie University. |
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Australian Bass: Identification of hybrids among Australian bass and estuary perch. In collaboration with Dr Luciano Beheregaray at Macquarie University
This is a project in coordination with the Marine and Freshwater Research Institute in Victoria. We are developing microsatellite markers to use along with genetic assignment test to identify Australian Bass / Estuary Perch hybrids |
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Gopher Tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) Conservation and Population Genetics. Under the direction of Dr Stephen Karl at University of South Florida. |
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Gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) population sizes have drastically declined in the past 100 years. Much of this decline has been attributed to past human predation, to habitat loss from human development, and potentially to the recently discovered upper respiratory tract disease. An understanding of the genetic structure among populations is critical for the long-term success of relocation and other management strategies. My masters of science research focused on the development of a suite of genetic markers that were used to address questions on present day population genetics and its use in management of the gopher tortoise. In addition, this study provides inference on historical refugia and dispersal patterns of the gopher tortoise through the Pleistocene. Nine microsatellite loci were identified, optimized, and characterized from a G. polyphemus microsatellite-enriched DNA library. These loci are applicable for population level analysis along with parentage analysis in all Gopherus species. In addition, a few of the loci also work in other tortoise species. We used these DNA markers to genotyped eighteen Florida and two Georgia populations of gopher tortoises. We found a considerable amount of genetic diversity within the species and substantial genetic subdivision among populations, especially in the northern part of the Florida peninsula and southern Georgia. We also found admixture and genetic homogenization in central Florida that may be attributed to past human mitigation events as much of this area has been substantially developed. |
