Thesis subject

Genome editing and virus infection in C. elegans

Complex traits of organisms are affected by genotypic, biotic and abiotic factors, and their interactions. Of particular interest is the interaction between virus infection and abiotic stress.

To explore the how virus infection and abiotic stress interact in organisms, we will use the model nematode species Caenorhabditis elegans. We will investigate the effect of heat shock (abiotic stress) and Orsay virus exposure (biotic) across different natural wild-types in C. elegans, and to explore candidate genes involved in both response pathways, using CRISPR/Cas.

Techniques that will be used:

•Mutant genetics

•Heatshock-virus infection assay

•CRISPR/Cas