Final theses
The Borsch group and also the Botanical Garden / Botanical Museum (BGBM) continuously offer a variety of opportunities for research internships and final theses. These are supervised by
- Markus Dillenberger – email
- Norbert Kilian – email
- Robert Lücking – email
- Nils Köster – email
- Gerald Parolly – email
- Katja Reichel – email
- Jonas Zimmermann – email
Here is a selection of some currently open topics that are part of our ongoing research projects - please contact us for further options.
Tip: If you want to find out more about our research, we invite you to come to our Journal Club / AG Seminar.
Conservation without borders
Genetic diversity is one of three dimensions of biological diversity explicitly protected by the United Nations' Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). But how can we keep track of it? In a pilot study, we will test which genetic markers (RAD, SSR) are best suited for the range-wide genetic monitoring of the medicinal plant Arnica (Arnica montana), which has suffered a dramatic decline over the last decades. Furthermore, we will look for regionally characteristic DNA polymorphisms based on which (illegaly?) collected Arnica can be assigned to its geographic origin, and find out if locally vs. regionally polymorphic DNA loci align to different parts of the Arnica reference genome.
Using Restriction-site Associated DNA-Sequencing (RADseq), we will sequence a defined part of the genome of Arnica samples from several European countries. Subsequently, the samples will be genotyped based on their sequence information in comparison to the Arnica reference genome, and compared among themselves and with existing microsatellite data. Regular communication of the research progress via social media and other channels is part of the project.
- Methods: PCR and other wet lab methods, Illumina sequencing, bioinformatic data analysis
- Start: from August, at the latest from Dezember 2024
- Contact: Dr. Katja Reichel
Watch evolution happen
Genetic diversity is one of three dimensions of biological diversity explicitly protected by the United Nations' Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). But how can we keep track of it? In a pilot study, we will test the use of time series data of samples taken from individual populations of the medicinal plant Arnica (Arnica montana), which has suffered a dramatic decline over the last decades. How can these data be used to evaluate the success of management and population reinforcement measures, and can we see time-dependent variability or differences in the respective populations' rate of clonality?
Using Restriction-site Associated DNA-Sequencing (RADseq), we will sequence a defined part of the genome of Arnica samples from several populations and years. Subsequently, the samples will be genotyped based on their sequence information in comparison to the Arnica reference genome, and compared through time. Regular communication of the research progress via social media and other channels is part of the project.
- Methods: PCR and other wet lab methods, Illumina sequencing, bioinformatic data analysis
- Start: from August, at the latest from Dezember 2024
- Contact: Dr. Katja Reichel
