Environmental and Evolutionary Physiology Research Unit (EEPRU)

The unit investigates how environmental factors, especially temperature changes, oxygen availability and environmental pollutants affect integrative physiology and cellular functions especially in fish (mainly salmonids and stickleback) and birds but also in other organisms. Our research concentrates on vertebrates from the Baltic environment, although especially evolutionary studies are carried out on animals from as far as South Africa and Australia. Investigations concentrate on environmental regulation of gene expression, specifically transcriptional regulation by hypoxia-inducible factor, on individual physiological variability as an evolutionary force, on oxidative stress-induced disturbances on the function of organisms, and on the evolution and development of oxygen-dependent responses in vertebrates. The work in the unit aims to combine the functional responses of animals to their heritability and to the variation in the ecological success of populations together with Prof. Craig Primmer's Unit (Genetics, University of Turku) and Prof. Juha Merilä's Unit (Bio- and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki), forming the Centre of Excellence in Evolutionary Genetics and Physiology. Methods used include, in addition to normal physiological measurements of, e.g., metabolic rates, gene cloning, DNA microarrays and real time PCR.

Molecular Ecology and Evolution Research Unit (MEERU)

Research in Craig Primmer's Molecular Ecology and Evolution Research Group focuses on the evolutionary and conservation genetics of non-mammalian vertebrates, in particular salmonid fishes and passerine birds (see http://users.utu.fi/primmer). The group’s more recent research focus has been on identifying genes underlying traits of ecological and evolutionary importance in non-model organisms. Specific studies include investigations of genes involved in local adaptations in salmonid fishes, and studies of genes implicated in speciation in passerine birds (Ficedula spp.). In a number of cases, information gathered in these studies has been applied for developing conservation strategies in the studied populations. Other research has focused on characterising the phylogeography of species such as Atlantic salmon, grayling and the common frog, as well as more applied conservation genetic studies for developing management plans for harvested Finnish salmonid species. See also http://sci.utu.fi/biologia/tutkimus/projektit/genfys/PnP/Index.html

Much of this work is conducted within the framework of the Finnish Centre of Excellence in Evolutionary Genetics and Physiology, where Primmer’s is one of three core research groups.

Ecological Genetics Research Unit (EGRU)

The main research activities of the Ecological Genetics Research Unit (EGRU) are centered around understanding animal adaptation - or lack of it thereof - to local environmental conditions, as well as to changes in environmental conditions. Population genetics, genomics, phylogeography, evolutionary quantitative genetics and statistical genetics are approaches which characterize lot of our research. The main model organisms in our research include fishes and birds, but some work is also done with amphibians and reptiles.

Methods employed in our research include molecular, population and quantitative genetic approaches, as well as laboratory and field experiments. Also more theoretical and methodological approaches, such as numerical simulations and development of statistical tools for analyzing inheritance and population differentiation in complex quantitative traits belong to our agenda.

Although our research is chiefly fundamental science, some of the projects have strong applied dimensions. These include studies on problems faced by small populations, research on human induced evolution in harvested populations, and as in past, studies on the effects of agriculture and pesticides on amphibian populations. Also conservation genetic studies are important part of our agenda.
EGRU is part of the Finnish Centre of Excellence in Evolutionary Genetics and Physiology - funded by Academy of Finland - which also includes the research groups of Professor Craig Primmer and Professor Mikko Nikinmaa from the University of Turku, Finland. For more information see EGRU homepages: http://www.helsinki.fi/biosci/egru/index.html.