RE: Project for a MSc/ MRes student on coral and anemone physiology
at the Monaco Scientific Centre.

We are seeking a motivated graduate student to conduct a research
project on the influence of light on intracellular pH in symbiotic
cnidarian cells. The project fits into a wider programme of research
conducted at the Monaco Scientific Centre that concerns the
physiology of tropical and temperate corals in the context of global
environmental change, particularly ocean
acidification. http://www.centrescientifique.mc/csmuk/presentation.php. The
student
will be joint supervised by Dr Sylvie Tambutte (Team Leader of the
Physiology and Biochemistry Group) and Dr Alexander Venn.

The proposed project will provide the graduate student with the
opportunity to acquire skills in cell biology, with an emphasis on
the application of physiology to environmental issues. The applicant
will need to be already enrolled in a masters programme at another
institution, but the proposed project may fill part or all of a
student's requirement for research experience. The student will
preferably have some laboratory experience with a background in
physiology or cell and molecular biology. Duration of the project is
flexible with a maximum of 6 months, with a flexible start date from
January 2010. All bench fees/ laboratory costs are covered by CSM and
a bursary of 300 euros per month is available.

The Monaco Scientific Centre ("Centre Scientifique de Monaco" or
"CSM") is a world leader in coral physiology, particularly in the
areas of biomineralization and symbiosis. Although primarily a French
speaking laboratory, CSM provides an international research
environment, regularly hosting researchers from locations such the
US, Australia and Japan (thus English is widely spoken). CSM is
currently housed in the Monaco Oceanographic Museum and funded by the
Government of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco.

Short project synopsis:
The cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis underpins coral reef
ecosystems. The ecological importance of corals and their
vulnerability to environmental change has led to growing interest in
cnidarian physiology (see Weis and Allemand 2009 What determines
coral health? Science, 329, 1153-1155). We have recently developed an
approach to measure intracellular pH in corals and symbiotic
anemones, a fundamental parameter that influences most aspects of
cell physiology (Venn et al. 2009 Imaging intracellular pH in a reef
coral and symbiotic anemone. Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences of the USA. 106 (39) 16574-16579). The purpose of the
proposed project is to build on our preliminary data and investigate
how intracellular pH in host cnidarian cells is modified by the
photosynthesis of intracellular algae under different environmental
conditions. The project will use the symbiotic anemone Anemonia
viridis as a model.

The student may have the opportunity to apply for a fully funded
Ph.D. on this topic at CSM starting in October 2010.

Interested candidates should send a CV to Sylvie
Tambutte stambutte@... and Alexander
Vennalex@...

We cannot control the directions of the wind, but may be we can adjust our sails
============================== Dr. Handoko Adi Susanto, MSc. Wildlife
Conservation Society (WCS)
Indonesia Marine Program
Jl. Burangrang No. 18, Bogor 16151 Indonesia Phone: +62 251 831 6307 Fax: +62
251 8357 347
Email: handoko.susanto@... Website: www.wcsmarine-indonesia.org