Abschlussarbeiten

(Abschlussarbeit online seit: 06.08.2021)

Kurzbeschreibung der Abschlussarbeit/des Themas:

The thesis project will address the involvement of mitochondrial uncoupling proteins in metabolic flexibility in mouse and human cancer cell lines. We will focus on the UCPs expression alterations and its possible cross-talk with changes in malignant cell metabolism.

Anforderungen/Erforderliche Kenntnisse:

Ongoing bachelor/master studies (University / University of Applied Science) in a related field (molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, biotechnology, biochemistry or equivalent).

• Interest in cancer biology, strong motivation to engage in the project.
• High reliability, great team-working skills.
• Fluency in spoken and written English.
• Experience in molecular/cell biology techniques would be advantageous.

Zusätzliche Bemerkungen zur Abschlussarbeit:

• You will be part of our young international team with a collaborative and inspiring working atmosphere.
• A stimulating and dynamic scientific environment with individual supervision. We are familiar with the supervision and execution of bachelor /master theses and we look forward to supporting you accordingly.
• A financial support according to the guidelines of Vetmed Uni Vienna is possible.

Eckdaten der Abschlussarbeit:

• Beginn: as soon as possible
• Dauer der Abschlussarbeit: k.A.
• Sprache: Englisch
• Rückmeldung von InteressentInnen erbeten bis: the announcement is valid until the vacancy gets occupied.

Name der Organisationseinheit:

• Organisationseinheit: Unit of Physiology and Biophysics
• AnsprechpartnerIn/BetreuerIn für die Abschlussarbeit:
  Taraneh Beikbaghban, MSc.
  T +43 1 25077-4503
  Send E-Mail to Taraneh Beikbaghban

Short description of the thesis/topic:
The project involves observational and non-invasive experimental work with free-ranging dogs in Morocco (Agadir area). We will investigate the social structure and ecology of packs and physical, cognitive and social skills in both puppies and adult dogs.

Requirements:
Candidates will be required to: Carry out behavioural observations of dogs for at least 8 hours a day (in hot weather conditions); Carry out field experiments; Collect saliva and hair samples; Code behaviours from videos; Take care of data entry/management.

Further information:
Students will learn: Complex behavioural observation methods using different kinds of protocols; Census techniques; Field tests of cognitive skills; Non-invasive hormone, isotope and DNA sample collection; Video analysis

Duration of the thesis: 6 months

Start: January 2022

Language of the thesis: English
 

Contact details:

Name of the organisational unit (Institute/Clinic/Unit):
Domestication Lab, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology

Contact person for the thesis:
Giulia Cimarelli, PhD

E-Mail: giulia.cimarelli@Vetmeduni.ac.at                                   Telephone: /

Feedback from students requested by: 3010.2021
 

Short description of the thesis/topic:
The project involves observational and non-invasive experimental work with free-ranging dogs in Morocco (Agadir area). We will investigate the social structure and ecology of packs and physical, cognitive and social skills in both puppies and adult dogs.

Requirements:
Candidates will be required to: Carry out behavioural observations of dogs for at least 8 hours a day (in hot weather conditions); Carry out field experiments; Collect saliva and hair samples; Code behaviours from videos; Take care of data entry/management.

Further information:
Students will learn: Complex behavioural observation methods using different kinds of protocols; Census techniques; Field tests of cognitive skills; Non-invasive hormone, isotope and DNA sample collection; Video analysis

Duration of the thesis: 6 months

Start: January 2022

Language of the thesis: English
 

Contact details:

Name of the organisational unit (Institute/Clinic/Unit):
Domestication Lab, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology

Contact person for the thesis:
Giulia Cimarelli, PhD

E-Mail: giulia.cimarelli@Vetmeduni.ac.at                                   Telephone: /

Feedback from students requested by: 3010.2021
 

Kurzbeschreibung der Abschlussarbeit/des Themas:
Ziel ist die Evaluierung der Frosttiefe nach der Durchlauf-Schockfrostung.

Forschungsfragen:

Wie weit darf/kann/soll der Kristallisierungsprozess in die Tiefe des Teilstücks gehen bzw. eindringen (in cm), ohne dass eine negative Beeinträchtigung auftritt?

Welche Auswirkung hat ein Schockfrosten auf den Fleischsaftaustritt?

Wie wirkt sich das oberflächliche Schockfrosten auf die Fleischfarbe am Anschnitt aus?

Kann Rindfleisch und Schweinefleisch mit den gleichen Temperatur- und Geschwindigkeitseinstellungen im Durchlauffroster befördert werden? Variiert die Eindringtiefe des Kristallisierungsprozess bei Rind und Schwein?
     

Voraussichtliche Dauer der Abschlussarbeit: <6 Monate

Start: ab sofort

Sprache, in der die Abschlussarbeit verfasst werden soll: Deutsch
 

Eckdaten der Organisationseinheit (OE), die die Abschlussarbeit vergibt

Name der Organisationseinheit:
Abteilung für Lebensmittelmikrobiologie

AnsprechpartnerIn in der Organisationeinheit/BetreuerIn für die Abschlussarbeit:
Ass.Prof. Evelyne Selberherr

E-Mail: evelyne.selberherr@Vetmeduni.ac.at                            Telefon: +43 1 25077-3510

Rückmeldung von Interessenten erbeten bis: 15.11.2021
 

Short description of the thesis/topic:
As part of the project LORN (LeptOspirose bei Rindern in Niederösterreich), we are searching for a motivated student to support us with field work and optimisation of the sampling protocole:

The aim of the diploma thesis is to 1) describe procedures and best practices at slaughterhouse to conduct optimal sampling of kidney tissue and urine from cattle in order to perform culture of Leptospira and PCR-test on the samples and 2) describe the results of the laboratory work. To achieve the objective of the project, field work at the slaughterhouse is required.

Requirements:
•Passed 2nd diploma examination.

•Interest for zoonotic diseases, in particular leptospirosis.

•Driving licence.

Further information:
     

Duration of the thesis: 6 months

Start: 01.11.2021 (or 15.11.2021 depending on the project progress)

Language of the thesis:
 

Contact details:

Name of the organisational unit (Institute/Clinic/Unit):
VetFarm / Abteilung für Öffentliches Veterinärwesen und Epidemiologie

Contact person for the thesis:
Ass.-Prof. Amélie Desvars-Larrive

E-Mail: amelie.desvars@Vetmeduni.ac.at                                 Telephone: +43 1 25077-3538

Feedback from students requested by: 15.10.2021
 

Kurzbeschreibung der Abschlussarbeit/des Themas:
In response to the EU ban on the use of antibiotics as growth promoters in animal feed, there is a growing interest in exploring natural alternatives assisting in maintaining a healthy rumen.The development of an effective feed additive in the favorable modification of ruminal fermentation may pave the way for the reduction of dependency on antibiotics. Sığla oil (sığla storax, Styrax liquidus) is a resinous exudate obtained from the wounded barks of the tree of Liquidambar orientalis. Because of its anti-bacterial and anti-nematode properties, it is thought that it may be an alternative to the prohibited antibiotics. Therefore, the aim of this project is to investigate the effects of two different doses of sığla oil on rumen microbiota and rumen microbial fermentation in comparison to an effective antibiotic, monensin, in the modification of ruminal fermentation using Rusitec (Rumen Simulation Techniquie).

Anforderungen/Erforderliche Kenntnisse:
An interest in ruminant nutrition and rumen health

An interest in learning Rumen simulation technique (Rusitec) and lab analytical methods

Knowledge of English (speaking and writing)
     

Voraussichtliche Dauer der Abschlussarbeit: 3 months

Start: November

Sprache, in der die Abschlussarbeit verfasst werden soll: Deutsch oder Englisch
 

Eckdaten der Organisationseinheit (OE), die die Abschlussarbeit vergibt

Name der Organisationseinheit:
Institut für Tierernährung und Funktionelle Pflanzenstoffe

AnsprechpartnerIn in der Organisationeinheit/BetreuerIn für die Abschlussarbeit:
Prof. Qendrim Zebeli

E-Mail: qendrim.zebeli@Vetmeduni.ac.at                                  Telefon: +43 1 25077-3200

Rückmeldung von Interessenten erbeten bis: 22.10.2021
 

Short description of the thesis:

Intense research in the last few decades has shown that dogs are extremely good at reading human social and communicative behavior. However, as compared to social cognition, the cognitive abilities of dogs in the physical domain have been relatively sparsely studied. As a result, it still remains unclear what dogs know about physical relations, for instance about the fact that an object can have an impact on the movements of another one (i.e., means-end understanding).

A usual way of studying means-end understanding in animals is Piaget’s “support problem”- which involves a goal object (e.g., food) that is out of a subject’s reach, but is resting on a support (e.g., a wooden board) that is within the subject’s reach. The task is based on the assumption that if an animal understands the physical properties of the wooden board it uses it as a means to an end, i.e., pulls the support to get the reward into reach. Animals without means-end understanding will only be able to succeed through repeated exposure allowing for associative learning.

In this study, dogs will be tested in a variation of the support problem – known as the “on/off task”. Dogs will need to retrieve an out-of-reach food reward placed behind a physical barrier (fence). While the reward itself is out of reach, it is physically connected to a wooden board within the dog’s reach. Dogs will be presented with two wooden boards - one board with a food reward on top of it (ON board), and another board with a reward placed next to it (OFF board). Successful retrieval of the treat requires the dogs to pull the appropriate board by pawing the wooden until the treat emerges from under the barrier.

Two groups of dogs will be tested repeatedly in two experimental conditions: 1) in the natural condition, dogs will be able to retrieve the reward by pulling the ON board. The reward placed next to the OFF board will not move if dogs pull on this board; 2) in the magic condition, dogs will be able to retrieve the reward by pulling the OFF board. The reward placed on the ON board will not move if dogs pull on this board. The main hypothesis is that, if solving the task is based on associative learning, dogs will learn the causally correct (i.e., natural) and causally incorrect (i.e., magic version) versions of the task similarly fast. However, if dogs have a certain level of means-end understanding, they will learn faster in the causally correct version than in the magic one.

Testing will take place in the Clever Dog Lab (link) and will be carried out by two master students who will collaborate to 1) conduct the behavioral testing, 2) conduct qualitative/quantitative behaviour coding (live and from videos), and 3) statistically analyse the data.

Requirements:

• Experience with animal/dog handling
• Basic knowledge in statistics using R
• Excellent teamwork skills

Further information:

The students will learn how to design behavioral studies, conduct behavioral testing, conduct qualitative/quantitative behaviour coding (live and from videos), and statistically analyse data using the appropriate statistical methods.

Key data of the thesis:

• Duration of the thesis: 6 months
• Start: as soon as possible
• Language of the thesis: English

Key data of the organisational unit:

• Organisational Unit: Messerli Research Institute, Comparative Cognition Unit/ Clever Dog Lab

• Contact persons: Christiana Tsiourti (christiana.tsiourti@vetmeduni.ac.at)  /Zsófia Virányi (Zsofia.Viranyi@vetmeduni.ac.at) /

Short description of the thesis/topic:
The project involves observational and non-invasive experimental work with free-ranging dogs in Morocco (Agadir area). We will investigate the social structure and ecology of packs and physical, cognitive and social skills in both puppies and adult dogs.

Requirements:
Candidates will be required to: Carry out behavioural observations of dogs for at least 8 hours a day (in hot weather conditions); Carry out field experiments; Collect saliva and hair samples; Code behaviours from videos; Take care of data entry/management.

Further information:
Students will learn: Complex behavioural observation methods using different kinds of protocols; Census techniques; Field tests of cognitive skills; Non-invasive hormone, isotope and DNA sample collection; Video analysis

Duration of the thesis: 6 months

Start: January 2022

Language of the thesis: English
 

Contact details:

Name of the organisational unit (Institute/Clinic/Unit):
Domestication Lab, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology

Contact person for the thesis:
Giulia Cimarelli, PhD

E-Mail: giulia.cimarelli@Vetmeduni.ac.at                                   Telephone: /

Feedback from students requested by: 3010.2021
 

Short description of the thesis/topic:
The project involves observational and non-invasive experimental work with free-ranging dogs in Morocco (Agadir area). We will investigate the social structure and ecology of packs and physical, cognitive and social skills in both puppies and adult dogs.

Requirements:
Candidates will be required to: Carry out behavioural observations of dogs for at least 8 hours a day (in hot weather conditions); Carry out field experiments; Collect saliva and hair samples; Code behaviours from videos; Take care of data entry/management.

Further information:
Students will learn: Complex behavioural observation methods using different kinds of protocols; Census techniques; Field tests of cognitive skills; Non-invasive hormone, isotope and DNA sample collection; Video analysis

Duration of the thesis: 6 months

Start: January 2022

Language of the thesis: English
 

Contact details:

Name of the organisational unit (Institute/Clinic/Unit):
Domestication Lab, Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology

Contact person for the thesis:
Giulia Cimarelli, PhD

E-Mail: giulia.cimarelli@Vetmeduni.ac.at                                   Telephone: /

Feedback from students requested by: 3010.2021
 

Short description of the thesis:

Intense research in the last few decades has shown that dogs are extremely good at reading human social and communicative behavior. However, as compared to social cognition, the cognitive abilities of dogs in the physical domain have been relatively sparsely studied. As a result, it still remains unclear what dogs know about physical relations, for instance about the fact that an object can have an impact on the movements of another one (i.e., means-end understanding).

A usual way of studying means-end understanding in animals is Piaget’s “support problem”- which involves a goal object (e.g., food) that is out of a subject’s reach, but is resting on a support (e.g., a wooden board) that is within the subject’s reach. The task is based on the assumption that if an animal understands the physical properties of the wooden board it uses it as a means to an end, i.e., pulls the support to get the reward into reach. Animals without means-end understanding will only be able to succeed through repeated exposure allowing for associative learning.

In this study, dogs will be tested in a variation of the support problem – known as the “on/off task”. Dogs will need to retrieve an out-of-reach food reward placed behind a physical barrier (fence). While the reward itself is out of reach, it is physically connected to a wooden board within the dog’s reach. Dogs will be presented with two wooden boards - one board with a food reward on top of it (ON board), and another board with a reward placed next to it (OFF board). Successful retrieval of the treat requires the dogs to pull the appropriate board by pawing the wooden until the treat emerges from under the barrier.

Two groups of dogs will be tested repeatedly in two experimental conditions: 1) in the natural condition, dogs will be able to retrieve the reward by pulling the ON board. The reward placed next to the OFF board will not move if dogs pull on this board; 2) in the magic condition, dogs will be able to retrieve the reward by pulling the OFF board. The reward placed on the ON board will not move if dogs pull on this board. The main hypothesis is that, if solving the task is based on associative learning, dogs will learn the causally correct (i.e., natural) and causally incorrect (i.e., magic version) versions of the task similarly fast. However, if dogs have a certain level of means-end understanding, they will learn faster in the causally correct version than in the magic one.

Testing will take place in the Clever Dog Lab (link) and will be carried out by two master students who will collaborate to 1) conduct the behavioral testing, 2) conduct qualitative/quantitative behaviour coding (live and from videos), and 3) statistically analyse the data.

Requirements:

• Experience with animal/dog handling
• Basic knowledge in statistics using R
• Excellent teamwork skills

Further information:

The students will learn how to design behavioral studies, conduct behavioral testing, conduct qualitative/quantitative behaviour coding (live and from videos), and statistically analyse data using the appropriate statistical methods.

Key data of the thesis:

• Duration of the thesis: 6 months
• Start: as soon as possible
• Language of the thesis: English

Key data of the organisational unit:

• Organisational Unit: Messerli Research Institute, Comparative Cognition Unit/ Clever Dog Lab

• Contact persons: Christiana Tsiourti (christiana.tsiourti@vetmeduni.ac.at)  /Zsófia Virányi (Zsofia.Viranyi@vetmeduni.ac.at) /