Center of Evolutionary Applications
Center of Evolutionary Applications (CEA) is a service unit based in the Department of Biology. We provide technical support for researchers at the Department, and offer genetic research and analysis services for external customers.
We are specialised in applied ecological and evolutionary genetics research. We carry out projects together with researchers from the Biology Department and also external collaborators from other universities and research institutes.
Our services include DNA/RNA extractions, microsatellite analysis, RAD-seq, qPCR, environmental DNA analysis (eDNA), DNA library preparation, metagenomics, Sanger and next-gen sequencing and methodological optimizations.
Current projects
DNA sequencing is a powerful tool for species identification in microbial communities. The Experimental Evolution-project studies community dynamics, using microbes and an experimental approach as a means to study interactions both on ecological and evolutionary scales.
https://www.expevo.org/
Microbe DNA analysis for sea water filter samples and HMW DNA extraction for fungal parasite of phytoplankton for whole genome sequencing.
Phytoplankton-Parasite interactions along a salinity gradient
https://uglylab.science/
In this long-term project we do microsatellite genotyping of White tailed eagles from their feather samples.
Using DNA based methods we can determine the sex of individuals in cases where no apparent visual differences are present. Here we use molecular methods to determine the sex of juvenile eider ducks by taking a swab sample. Egg shells can also be used as starting material for DNA analysis if the ducklings left the nest before sampling!
DISRUPT: Ducks as models for assessIng endocrine DISRUPTing chemicals in the aquatic environment
https://sites.utu.fi/disrupt/
Examples of past projects
We have performed DNA extractions from stool samples for multiple projects to determine the gut microbiome.
We performed DNA and RNA extractions and determined pathogens from ticks as part of CoastNet LIFE project.
https://www.metsa.fi/en/project/coastnet-life/
DNA based fingerprinting of wolf individuals is used for tracking individual's movements and supporting census counts of the Finnish wolf population by LUKE.
For more information see (in Finnish):
riistahavainnot.fi/suurpedot/dna
http://www.suurpedot.fi/suojelu-ja-metsastys/tutkimus/susien-dna-tutkimus.html
In this project we carried out DNA- and RNA extractions for the endophyte project.
https://blogit.utu.fi/helandersaikkonenlab/
In this pilot study we extracted DNA from pollen samples gathered by a Burkard trap. Sequencing a part of the "plant barcoding" gene trnL we can study the species composition in the samples.
In this pilot study we tested an eDNA based method to determine the amount of brown trout individuals from water samples.
Personnel
Helka Vento, summer trainee
Kira Laukkanen, summer trainee
Io Karunen, summer trainee
Titiksha Peetumber, summer trainee & research assistant
Telma Kuuslampi, summer trainee & research assistant
Janina Karttunen, summer trainee & research assistant
Natalie Tomnikov, summer trainee & research assistant
Contact
Contact us: cea@utu.fi
Visit us: University Hill, Natura building, 3. floor, room 333 and 342
Delivery address: Vesilinnantie 5, 20500 TURKU
Feel free to reach out for quotes, budgets, availability and project timelines.
Publication information
CEA does not require authorship in publications unless explicitly agreed upon.
However, we kindly ask that CEA gets acknowledged either in the methods section as the place where molecular work and analyses were done or in the acknowledgments of the publication. We also ask that you inform CEA of any new publications that reference our involvement.