It's Sunday, November 22, 2009 Last update on 16-Nov-2008 · 77424 hits · Current page Index
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It's Sunday, November 22, 2009 Last update on 16-Nov-2008 · 77424 hits · Current page Index |
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Welcome to the Kültz Lab
Our research focuses on the Evolution of Physiological and Genetic Adaptations to Osmotic Stress in Animals. We study the molecular and mechanistic basis of the osmotic stress response and how it relates to other environmental stress responses. Environmental stress causes damage to macromolecules (in particular DNA and proteins). At higher levels of biological organization such damage translates to cell and tissue injury, organ malfunction, and animal disease. Using a
comparative approach we study biochemical, physiological, and genetic adaptations that maximize osmotic stress resistance and promote
tolerance towards environmental salinity change. We also study additive effects of other environmental stresses occuring in combination with osmotic stress. |
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 Biochemical Adaptation (Hochachka & Somero) |
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Understanding the genes, proteins, molecular pathways, and physiological mechanisms promoting animal adaptation to
environmental stress has wide-ranging implications for
biomedicine, agriculture, conservation biology, and survival in extreme environments.
Such knowledge enables better prediction and modeling of the global impact of
environmental change on animals and ecosystems. Because salinity (osmolality) is a major environmental parameter we focus on discovering key mechanisms that enable
a select group of animals to thrive in environments characterized by extreme salinity stress. Major goals of our research are
1) to identify cornerstones of the molecular network that confers osmotic stress tolerance to animals and their cells;
2) to know how this network works;
3) to discover how osmotic stress tolerance evolves; and
4) to understand why certain animals and cell types have extreme osmotic stress tolerance while it is minimal for most others.
Training of undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral
fellows represents an integral part of our research and teaching program. If you are
interested in contributing to our research we would like to hear from you.
Undergraduate Students have the opportunity to participate in research projects via
research internships and prospective Graduate Students may apply to the Molecular,
Cellular, and Integrative Physiology (MCIP),
Ecology (GGE). Genetics (GGG),
or Animal Biology (ABG)
Graduate Programs at UC Davis. |
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Comparative Physiological Genomics Group Our research focuses on the evolution of molecular to population level responses of animals to changes in salt and water content in the environment.  Heinrich Heine (aus: Deutschland ein Wintermärchen), 1797-1856 |
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Disclaimer The content presented on this site is for information purposes only. The
author(s) and the University of California are not liable for any inaccuracies
or losses resulting from the use of this site. Any opinions, findings,
and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those
of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National
Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, or any other supporting
agency. All photographs are original and were taken by DK or
members of the Kültz Lab unless otherwise indicated.
Entire Site including all photographs is Copyright dkkw © 2002 - 2009.
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