National Zoological Gardens Of South Africa MSc Bursary Opportunity 2024

National Zoological Gardens Of South Africa MSc Bursary Opportunity 2024

Four projects are offered: Re-advertisement MSc Bursaries x 4:
 
Conservation Genetics / Forensics / Epidemiology (2024-2025) Pretoria
Requirements

• The candidate must be a South African citizen
• Hold a Hons/BTech degree in the relevant discipline
• Have research experience in molecular biology, genetics, bioinformatics, epidemiology or related field.
• Project 1: A major focus of conservation genetics is the evolutionary consequences of loss of genetic diversity in a population. Loss of heterozygosity can result in an increased probability of homozygosity of deleterious recessive alleles resulting in a limited potential for the species to adapt to changing environments. The project will focus on the analysis of immune loci in endangered frog species to complement research based on neutral markers.
• Project 2: Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers are the method of choice for genetic analyses. SNPs have several advantages including; their ease of analysis, increased sensitivity, ability to be used to match samples and determine relatedness. This project will focus on the validation of a SNP assay panel for genetic analysis and relatedness in felids.
• Project 3: The aim of this study will be to improve the ability and quality of genetic analysis protocols for the accurate identification of species, and different populations in the prosecution of wildlife crime. A combination of molecular markers will be selected based on species specific genome and published data obtained from various population studies on two antelope species (kudu Tragelaphus strepsiceros and bushbuck Tragelaphus scriptus) that are currently priorities in forensic cases. This will involve the identification and testing of alternative fragments of the genome including nuclear DNA (SNPs and Microsatellites).
• Project 4: There is a lack of research regarding the molecular epidemiology of infectious diseases in wildlife with no accurate diagnostic tests available for detection of infectious diseases. This project will focus on the development of accurate, reliable and reproducible molecular diagnostic tests and investigating molecular epidemiology of selected wildlife. The NZG will assist the students with finding an appropriate co-supervisor at a South African University and will nominate a NZG supervisor. The students will be expected to register with a University by the end of January 2024.

Duration: January 2024 to December 2024