Currently offered topics for Bachelor and Master theses at our Department
[updated December 16, 2021]
Topic/Title: Population genetics of host-parasite system in area of the secondary contact
Type of work: the extent of the work can be modified for all degrees of study [Bachelor, Master, Ph.D.]
Supervisor: Václav Hypša
Short description: Usually there is a significant congruence in the population structure between the parasites and their hosts. This is mainly due to the dependence of the parasite on the host during its spread in the environment. Detailed study on population structure in the parasite-host system is, therefore, important for understanding the evolutionary, genetic, but also epidemiological aspects of parasitism. From the biological point of view, the topic focuses on a particularly interesting case, which is a secondary contact of two populations after the re-colonization of Europe [field mouse of the genus Apodemus, louse of the genus Polyplax].
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Topic/Title: Pangenomes of symbiotic bacteria of parasitic insects and horizontal gene transfer
Type of work: the extent of the work can be modified for all degrees of study [Bachelor, Master, Ph.D.]
Supervisor: Václav Hypša
Short description: For their survival and reproduction, parasitic insects require intracellular symbiotic bacteria that provide them with several important substances. During the evolution, symbiosis has occurred repeatedly, and symbionts have originated from different groups of bacteria. The topic focuses on genome comparison of symbiotic bacteria and their free-living relatives: the objective is to identify the genetic background suitable for the symbiosis, and the importance of horizontal gene transfer for acquisition of necessary capabilities.
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Topic/Title: eDNA screening of selected potential human helminths
Type of work: the extent of the work can be modified for all degrees of study [Bachelor, Master, Ph.D.]
Supervisors: Roman Kuchta [], Tomáš Scholz [] - Laboratory of Helminthology PAÚ BC CAS ČR]
Short description: eDNA-based techniques have a great potential for the detection and quantification of infectious agents. The development of eDNA tools is, therefore, crucial for disease ecology and epidemiology as human health and wildlife conservation management efforts require reliable identification and monitoring of pathogens. eDNA metabarcoding will be used to detect larval stages of selected groups of helminth parasites, including potential human parasites [a broad fish tapeworm Dibothriocephalus latus, or flukes of the genera Metagonimus, Opisthorchis, Trichobilharzia, etc.] in water reservoirs, fish ponds, and natural habitats.
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Topic/Title: Origin of parasitism in the Neodermata [parasitic flatworms]: from morphology and ultrastructure to phylogenomics
Type of work: the extent of the work can be modified for all degrees of study [Bachelor, Master, Ph.D.]
Supervisors: Jan Brabec [], Roman Kuchta [], Tomáš Scholz [] - Laboratory of Helminthology PAÚ BC CAS
Short description: The early phylogeny of parasitic flatworms [including the notoriously known cestodes and trematodes] and their free-living ancestors has not yet been satisfactorily resolved. We approach this problem primarily through bioinformatic analyses of de novo-characterised phylogenomic data [mainly transcriptomes] of basal representatives of the major neodermatan lineages, and by interpreting individual morphological and ultrastructural characters in light of these data.
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Topic/Title: Diversity and phylogenetic relationships of North American tapeworms and their coevolution with freshwater fish
Type of work: Bachelor or Master
Supervisors: Tomáš Scholz [], Jan Brabec [], Roman Kuchta [] - Laboratory of Helminthology PAÚ BC CAS
Short description: Representatives of several cestode lineages infect a number of North American freshwater fish groups, including the most primitive lineages of ray-finned fishes. We are interested in description of the diversity of their cestode parasites and understanding of the interrelationships among cestodes by combining classical morphological techniques [including electron microscopy] and molecular-phylogenetic approaches including Sanger- and NGS sequencing.
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Title/Topic: Diversity and phylogenetic relationships of the parasites of marine mammals
Type of work: Bachelor or Master
Supervisors: Jesus Servando Hernández-Orts [], Tomáš Scholz [], Roman Kuchta [] - Laboratory of Helminthology PAÚ BC CAS
Short description: Marine mammals [cetaceans, whales, etc.] are known to be suitable hosts for a number of parasites, especially helminths [tapeworms, trematodes, nematodes, and acanthocephalans]. However, the parasite fauna of these mammals is poorly understood, including some pathogens that affect humans. The aim of the project will be to penetrate a group of helminths using morphological techniques, including electron microscopy and molecular phylogenetic approaches.
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