Anthropogenic impacts on growth and protein metabolism in the European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax

Anthropogenic impacts on growth and protein metabolism in the European sea bass, Dicentrarchus labrax

Project Description

Supervisors

Dr Keiron Fraser, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth

Dr Benjamin Ciotti, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth

Professor Simon Lemarre, Faculty of Science, Université de Moncton, Canada

 

Scientific Background

Pollution of coastal waters by sewage is of major concern, but little is known about the biological impact on animals, or interactions with other stressors such as ocean warming. Growth is essential in all animals, allowing individuals to reach a threshold size for reproduction and occupy adult ecological niches. Soft-tissue growth is essentially achieved by the synthesis and retention of proteins, an energetically expensive process, typically accounting for 25-40% of the energy required by an animal. This study will make the first detailed analysis of how sewage pollution and warming seas are likely to affect protein metabolism and growth during the critical juvenile life stage, of the socioeconomically important, European seabass.

 

 

Research Methodology

Fish will be exposed to four water temperatures and to sewage pollution levels regularly detected in UK coastal waters that fail safe bathing standards (Escherichia coli >500 cfu/100ml; Intestinal enterococci >185 cfu/100ml). Experimental water temperatures will range from current UK summer temperatures, to those likely to occur in the UK in the next decades. Fish will be individually maintained in recirculating seawater aquaria and fed daily. At the end of the experiments, growth, protein synthesis and protein degradation will be measured.

In parallel, field-based measurements will be made of protein degradation pathways, and growth/protein synthesis proxies in wild fish at times of high and low sea temperature, in concert with measurements of seawater sewage contamination, to better understand how the detailed lab studies relate to fish living in the wild.

 

Training

This is an exceptional opportunity to develop highly relevant skills broadly spanning field and laboratory approaches to understand how human impacts affect animal populations. Training will be provided in field-based fish sampling techniques, fish husbandry , cutting-edge methods to measure protein synthesis utilising a deuterium-labelled phenylalanine flooding dose in Plymouth, as well as a range of advanced methods to measure protein degradation pathways, during a training visit to Canada.

 

Person Specification

We seek an enthusiastic individual with a degree in marine biology, biology, biochemistry or a related subject, a willingness to travel to field sites and preferably a UK valid driving licence.

Acceptable first degree subjects: Marine biology, biology, biochemistry, or a related subject.

Project code: FRASER_PLYM_ARIES26

References

  • Fraser, KPP, Peck, LS, Clarke MS, Clarke, A, Hill SL (2022). Life in the freezer: protein metabolism in Antarctic fish. R. Soc. Open Sci. 9: 211272
  • Fraser KPP, Rogers, AD (2007). Protein metabolism in marine animals: the underlying mechanism of growth. Adv. Mar. Biol. 52: 268-362
  • Cassidy, AA & Lamarre, SG (2019). Activation of oxygen-responsive pathways is associated with altered protein metabolism in Arctic char exposed to hypoxia. J. Exp. Biol. 222: jeb203901.
  • Cienfuegos, IA, Ciotti, BJ, Billington, RA, Sutton, PA, Lamarre, SG, Fraser, KPP (2024) Life in the margins: the effect of immersion/emersion and tidal cycle on the North Atlantic limpet Patella vulgata protein synthesis rates. J. Comp. Physiol. B. 194(6): 779-792.
  • Ciotti BJ, Targett TE, Nash RDM, Batty RS, Burrows MT, Geffen AJ (2010). Development, validation and field application of an RNA-based growth index in juvenile plaice Pleuronectes platessa. J Fish Biol. 77 (10):2181-2209

Key Information

  • This studentship has been shortlisted for funding under the UKRI NERC DLA funding scheme and will commence on 1 October 2026. The closing date for applications is 23:59 on 7 January 2026.
  • Successful candidates who meet UKRI’s eligibility criteria will be awarded a fully-funded studentship, which covers fees, maintenance stipend (£20,780 p.a. for 2025/26) and a research training and support grant (RTSG). A limited number of studentships are available for international applicants, with the difference between 'home' and 'international' fees being waived by the registering university. Please note, however, that ARIES funding does not cover additional costs associated with relocation to, and living in, the UK, such as visa costs or the health surcharge.
  • ARIES postgraduate researchers (PGRs) benefit from bespoke training and ARIES provides £2,500 to every student for access to external training, travel and conferences, on top of all Research Costs associated with the project. Excellent applicants from quantitative disciplines with limited experience in environmental sciences may be considered for an additional 3-month stipend to take advanced-level courses. Excellent applicants from quantitative disciplines with limited experience in environmental sciences may be considered for an additional 3-month stipend to take advanced-level courses.
  • ARIES is committed to equality, diversity, widening participation and inclusion in all areas of its operation. We encourage enquiries and applications from all sections of the community regardless of gender, ethnicity, disability, age, sexual orientation and transgender status. Academic qualifications are considered alongside non-academic experience, and our recruitment process considers potential with the same weighting as past experience.
  • All ARIES studentships may be undertaken on a part-time or full-time basis. International applicants should check whether there are any conditions of visa or immigration permission that preclude part-time study. All advertised project proposals have been developed with consideration of a safe, inclusive and appropriate research and fieldwork environment with respect to protected characteristics. If you have any concerns, please contact us.
  • For further information, please contact the supervisor. To apply for this Studentship, follow the instructions at the bottom of the page or click the 'apply now' link.
  • ARIES is required by our funders to collect Equality and Diversity Information from all of our applicants. The information you provide will be used solely for monitoring and statistical purposes; it will remain confidential and will be stored on the UEA SharePoint server. Data will not be shared with those involved in making decisions on the award of Studentships and will have no influence on the success of your application. It will only be shared outside of this group in an anonymised and aggregated form. You will be asked to complete the form by the University to which you apply.
  • ARIES studentships are subject to UKRI terms and conditions. Postgraduate Researchers are expected to live within reasonable distance of their host organisation for the duration of their studentship. Please see https://www.ukri.org/publications/terms-and-conditions-for-training-funding/ for more information.

Apply Now

Apply now via  University of Plymouth ARIES Doctoral Training