Research
Ongoing projects
PARENTAL EFFECTS
Maternal thyroid hormones: ecology, evolution and environmental disruption
This is a 5-year project (2016-2020) funded by the Academy of Finland. We study the function, environmental plasticity and evolutionary correlates of maternally-derived egg thyroid hormones in birds. I also study the potential for pollutants as (transgenerational) thyroid function disruptors. Research methods include international large-scale inter-and intraspecific sample collection and experimental manipulation of hormones and environmental conditions. We also develop new methodology to measure thyroid hormones (nano-LCMS).
Current project members: Post-docs: Bin-Yan Hsu, Antoine Stier; PhD student: Tom Sarraude, MSc Mikaela Hukkanen, Kalle Aho
Collaborators: Veerle Darras (KUleuven, Belgium), Blandine Doligez (CRSN, Lyon), Ton Groothuis (Univ Groningen, NL), Marcel Visser (Netherlands Institute of Ecology, NL), Tapio Eeva (Univ. Turku), Rodrigo Vasquez (Univ Chile) and numerous other groups involved in sample collection.
Maternal effects in extreme climatic conditions
In collaboration with Martje Birker (Uni Groningen), Rodrigo Vasquez (Uni Chile), we study how maternal effects (hormones, incubation behavior) may play a role in adapting to extreme climatic conditions in a passerine bird (Thorn-tailed Rayadito) across a gradient in Chile, using correlative and experimental appraoch.
Maternal effects and adaptation to novel climatic conditions
With Amanda Pettersen and Tobias Uller (Lund Uni) we study how maternal effects via maternal hormone transfer may explain countergradient variation in developmental rates in Wall lizard populations.
Early-life environment, mitochondria, aging and plasticity
We study how prenatal and postnatal environment influences aging markers and mitochondrial function in birds, with Antoine Stier (UTU, Glasgow)
Maternal effects under predation risk
Together with Dr. Chiara Morosinotto and Dr. Robert Thomson we study how breeding under simulated predation risk affects resource allocation to egg in pied flycatchers (Ficedula hypoleuca).
Human impact and transgenerational effects in fish
With Katja Anttila and Giovanna Mottola (Univ Turku) we explore among population variation and consequences of human-induced environmental changes (temperature changes due to nuclear power plants) on maternal thyroid hormones and reproduction.
OTHER EVOLUTIONARY ECOLOGY PROJECTS
Causes and consequences of variation in mitochondria function
We study genetic and enviromental origins (incl early life environment) mitochondrial function (activity and density) and plasticity of mitochondria in wild bird populations with Antoine Stier (UTU) and Coline Marciau. PhD student Nina Cossin-Sevrin (UTU)
Towards an evolutionary theory of stress: – combining modelling and empiricism
Starting from University of Bern (SW) ‘Arolla workshop’ we are a team of empiricists (prof Barbara Taborsky, prof Carmen Sandi, Dr. Sinead English and me) and theoreticians (Dr. Tim Fawcett, Dr, Bram Kuijper, Prof Olof Leimar) who are processing how to model stress responses and evolution of stress, as well as the links between stress programming and development.
Oxidative stress and life-histories
Using various experimental designs and long-term data collection we study oxidative cost of reproduction- using the pied flycatcher as the model system. Collaborators: Robert L Thomson (Univ Cape Town), Chiara Morosinotto (Novia)
EPIGENETICS
We study how early-life exposure to pollutants and poor nutrition affects methylation markers in a wild bird model (great tits).
We are also compiling a review on methodologies in analysing methylation data from non-model organisms.
We study how agrochemicals (glyphosate-based herbicides) may influence organisms via altering DNA methylation patterns, both short-term and after cumulative exposure.
Collaborators: Dr. Hannu Mäkinen, Dr. Tapio Eeva (UTU) and Dr. Kees van Oers and Dr. Veronika Laine (NIOO, NL).
Students: MSc student Mark Verschuuren (NIOO; NL)
We study the epigenetic mechanisms programming long-lasting effects of early life hormone environment. Collaborators: Riikka Lund, Mikko KOnki (FFGC; UTU).
MSc Student: Mikaela Hukkanen (UTU), PhD student Bernice Sepers (NIOO; NL).
ECOTOXICOLOGY
Effects of glyphosate on non-target taxa: glyphosate in a vertebrate model
Glyphosate is the most widely used herbidice in the world, but data on the effects on non-target taxa in environmentally relevant concentration is scarce. Together with the group of Marjo Helander (5-year Academy of Finland project, 2017-2021) we study its short- and long-term effects on development, physiology in a vertebrate model (bird model). We also study how remains of herbicides in manure may influence plant performance in circular economy.
Collaboration: Marjo Helander, Irma Saloniemi, Miia Rainio (UTU), Anne Muola, Benjamin Fuchs, Kari Saikkonen (Biodiversity, UTU)
Glyphosate and bacterial adaptation
We study the evolution of EPSPS, the target enzyme for glyphosate, and its resistance.
Collaboration: Pere Puigpo, Miia Rainio, Marjo Helander (UTU)
MICROBIOME
he role of gut microbiome in thermal adaptations in wild birds (Academy of Finland, 2021-2023)
All animals on our planet carry microorganisms in their gut. Gut microbiome has recently been shown to be strongly linked to health in human and captive animals. The host together with its full microbial community have been suggested to form an inseparable entity – the holobiont. There is ongoing debate if and how the microbiome may facilitate adaption to varying environmental conditions. To truly address the variety of adaptations, holobiont studies must be taken from the current model organisms to a wide range of wild species and populations to understand how selection on the gut microbiome works in the natural world. Winter at high latitudes proposes an energetic and thermoregulatory challenge, influencing survival. Studies in mammalian model organisms suggest that the microbiome changes with temperature and there is proof-of-concept data that this compositional shift in microbiome occurs as an adaptive response
to a cold environment. In this proposal, our overarching aim is to test the hypothesis, whether and how the microbiome can contribute to host cold tolerance and thus potentially affect survival in wild bird populations. To achieve this, we address the following questions using great tit populations as our model system:
(i)Does gut microbiome change with exposure to cold, and how plastic is this change?
(ii)Are temperature-induced changes in microbiome linked to thermoregulation?
(iii)What are the underlying molecular mechanisms that link microbiome and thermal physiology?
Collaboration, e.g. Andreas Nord (Lund University), Antoine Stier (University of Lyon/Turku), Sami Taipale (University of Jyväskylä), Eero Vesterinen (University of Turku), Leo Lahti (University of Turku), Tapio Mappes (University of Jyväskylä), Zbyszek Boratynski
The role of gut microbiome in adapting to changing environmental conditions (starting 2020)
All organisms on our planet carry microorganisms in their gut. Human and animal model studies show that gut microbiome is strongly linked to health. Host and its full microbial community have been suggested to form an inseparable entity – the holobiont. It is currently heatedly debated whether and how microbiome may help holobiont to adapt to variable environments. To address this, holobiont studies must be taken from the lab to the wild to reach the natural variation in developmental and selective environments. In this proposal, my overarching aim is to contribute to the understanding whether microbiome can drive the holobiont adaptation to environmental variation in wild populations, by following the principles of evolutionary theory (variation, inheritance, selection, adaptation). We also test a novel hypothesis of adaptive developmental programming via microbiome. We have the following objectives:
- VARIATION: We quantify variation in gut microbiome within and among wild animal populations across the breeding range
- INHERITANCE: We characterize parent-to-offspring vertical transmission of microbiome via eggs in wild populations
- SELECTION: We measure the influence of variation in gut microbiome on reproductive success and survival in wild populations, and study the physiological and behavioural mechanisms causing the fitness variation
- ADAPTATION: We test the hypotheses that microbiome variation can underlie adaptive developmental programming, and contribute to local adaptation in wild populations
The study will be conducted at extensive temporal and European-wide spatial scale using well-established wild passerine bird populations. The work will build on the group’s research expertise on evolutionary ecology and microbiology in wild populations, outstanding molecular and bioinformatic competence, combined with novel, interdisciplinary experimental approaches adopted from medical science. The work is timely, addressing a topical challenge with innovative hypotheses, building on recent results from lab animals and cutting-edge molecular methods. The results help to understand how microbiome can contribute to phenotypic variation and allow animals to adapt to changing environments.
Collaboration: Adj. Prof Leo Lahti (Dept of Mathematics, UTU), Dr. Kirstin Grond (Univerisity of Conniticut, USA), Dr. Manu Tamminen (UTU) sDr. Carlos Gomez –Gallego (Uni Eastern Finland);. Dr. Emrah Yatkin (Head of Animal Center Laborator, UTU) Dr Andreas Nord (Lund Uni), Dr. Caroline Isaksson (Lund Uni), prof Kees van Oers (Netherlands Institute of Ecology, NL), Prof Anne Charmantier (Uni Montpellier), Dr. Balasz Rosivall (Eotvos , HUN), Dr. Silvia Espin (University of Murcia, SP). Veli-Matti Pakanen (University of Oulu) Prof Lars Gustafsson (Uppsala Uni, SWE), Prof Ilari Sääksjärvi (Biodiversity Unit, UTU).
MSc students: Lotta Hollmen, Kaisa Merimaa
Anthropogenic stressors and microbiome
We study how various anthropogenic stressors, such as pollution and herbicides may influence organism health and performance via influencing their gut microbiome. Methods include experimental approaches and collecting data from pollution gradients.
In collaboration with Pere Puigbo, we study the phylogeny and molecular evolution of the target enzyme of glyphosate, EPSPS in bacteria. We also experimentally test sensitivity of bacteria to glyphosate in vitro (with Arto Pulliainen).
Collaboration: Marjo Helander, Irma Saloniemi, Pere Puigpo, Miia Rainio (UTU), the group of Seppo Salminen (Functional Foods Forum, UTU), Arto Pulliainen (Biomedicine, UTU), Dr. Blandine Doligez (CRNS Lyon).
MSc student Lyydia Leino.
ECOPHYSIOLOGY
Main collaborators | Duration | Project | Funded |
Dr. Bin-Yan Hsu (UTU) Prof. Shinichi Nagakawa (Uni South Wales, Australia) Dr. Sandra Bowhuis, Dr. Oscar Vedder | 2019-23 | Thyroid hormones and life-history variation in vertebrates | A of FIN; Ehrooth |
Prof. Tobias Uller and Amanda Petterson (Lund Uni) | 2020-21 | THs driving population differentiation in LH traits in lizards | VR, SWE |
Prof. Rodrigo Vasquez (Uni Chile), PhD student Martje Birker (Uni Groningen) | 2018-22 | The role ole of maternal THs in adapting to extreme environments across bird populations | Academy of Chile |
Dr. Patrik Karell, Chiara Morosinotto (Novia) | 2020-21 | THs underlying differences in fitness across colour morphs | A of FIN |
Dr.Leonida Fusani (UVienna) | 2020-22 | THs and variation in avian migratory phenotypes | U Vienna |
Prof. Stafford Lightman, Thomas Upton (Medical School, Uni Bristol) | 2020-21 | Human ultradian TH hormone variation | U Bristol |
Dr. Katja Anttila (UTU) | 2017-20 | TH variation across the Baltic sticklebacks | A of FIN |
Dr. Marjut Rajasilta and group (UTU) | 2020-24 | THs and iodine as drivers of LH variation in Baltic herrings | Alhopuro |
Dr. Antoine Stier, Vincent Viblanc (Strasbourg) | 2018-2022 | Causes and consequences of variation in mitochondria (within and across species) | TCSM |
PhD student Kasja Malkoc, PhD student Marlene Oefele, Prof Mikaela Hau (Max Planck Institute) | 2020-22 | Covariation between different hormonal axis; THs, growth and ageing | MPI |
List of collaborators
In alphabetical order:
Prof. Katja Anttila (University of Turku) -animal physiology
Prof. Anne Charmantier (University of Montpellier, France) – evolutionary ecology
Dr. Blandine Doligez (CRNS, France) – evolutionary ecology
Dr. Tapio Eeva (University of Turku) – ecology
Dr. Sinead English (University of Bristol, UK) -evolutionary ecology, modelling
Dr. Silvia Espin (University of Murcia, Spain) – ecotoxicology
Prof. Leonida Fusani (Vienna University) – endocrinology
Dr. Benjamin Fuchs (UTU) – ecology
Dr. Carlos Gomez-Gallego (University of Eastern Finland) – microbiology and nutrition
Dr. Kirsten Grond (University of Conniticut, USA) – microbiology
Prof. Ton Groothuis (University of Groningen, NL) – endocrinology
Prof. Lars Gustafsson (Uppsala University, SWE) – ecology
Prof. Mikaela Hau (Max Planck Institute) – evolutionary ecology
Dr. Arttu Heinonen (UTU Proteomics) – proteomics
Dr. Marjo Helander (University of Turku) – ecology
Dr. Bin-Yan Hsu (UTU) – evolutionary ecology, physiology
Dr. Caroline Isaksson (Lund Uni) – ecophysiology
Dr. Patrik Karell (NOvia Applied University, FIN) -ecology
Dr. Bram Kuijper (University of Exeter, UK) – modelling
Prof. Leo Lahti (Dept of Future Technologies, University of Turku) – applied mathematics
Dr. Veronika Laine (Netherlands Institute of Ecology, NL) – molecular biology
Prof Stafford Lightman (Medical School, University of Bristol, UK) – medicine
Dr. Chiara Morosinotto (Novia Applied University, FIN) – ecology
Dr. Anne Muola (UTU) – ecology
Prof. Shinichi Nagakawa (University of Southern Wales, Australia) – ecology
Prof. Jan-Åke Nilsson (Lund University, SWE) – ecology
Dr. Andreas Nord (Lund University, SWE) – ecology and ecophysiology
Prof. Kees van Oers (Netherlands Institute of Ecology, NL) – evolution, molecular ecology
Prof. Arto Pulliainen (Biomedicine, University of Turku) – biomedicine, microbiology
Dr. Amanda Patterson (Lund University) – evolutionary biology
Dr. Pere Puigbo (University of Turku) – molecular biology
Dr. Miia Rainio (University of Turku) – ecotoxicology
Dr. Marjut Rajasilta, Katja Mäkinen (University of Turku) – ecology
Dr. Balasz Rosivall (Eotvos Lorand University, HUN) -ecology
Prof Kari Saikkonen (Biodiversity, University of Turku) – ecology
Msc Bernice Sepers (NIOO; NL) – evolutionary ecology
Dr. Antoine Stier (UTU)
Prof Ilari Sääksjärvi (Biodiversity, University of Turku)- biodiversity
Prof. Barbara Taborsky (University of Bern, SW) – evolutionary ecology
Prof. Seppo Salminen (Functional Foods Unit, University of Turku)- microbiology
Prof. Tobias Uller (Lund University) -evolutionary biology
Dr. Thomas Upton (Bristol University) – medicine
Dr. Vincent Viblanc (University of Strasbourg, France) – ecophysiology
Prof. Rodrigo Vasquez (University of Chile, Chile) – ecology
Prof. Marcel Visser (Netherlands Institute of Ecology, NL) – evolutionary ecology
Dr. Emhra Yatkin (University of Turku)- veterinary science
OUTREACH
2020: Translation for a documentary in epigenetics
2020: Interviews for a documentary film on glyphosate-based herbicides (Univerisiy of Tampere)
2020: Media presence on glyphosate-based herbicides
2020: Suomen Siipikarja-magazine article on glyphosate
2019: High school even on evolutionary biology (conducted at ESEB conference)
2019: Organizing events for ESEB, kids’ science
2018: Exhibition (text, photos) on bird eggs in Ruissalo garden
2017: Public outreach event ‘Lintuilta’, panelist responding to bird-related questions from the public