Sina holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Hohenheim. She is currently pursuing a Master of Marine Biology at James Cook University, focusing on coral reef science. In the context of a Humboldt-Reloaded project, she explored the effects of queen mandibular pheromones on the ovaries of honeybee workers. Additionally, she has participated in research on the impacts of microplastics on the feeding behaviour of various coral species and the reproduction of cold-water corals. For her master’s thesis, she is investigating the toxins of the fire sea urchin A. varium. Apart from her studies, she is an enthusiastic diver and actively volunteers in sea turtle conservation.

Characterisation of the venom of the fire urchin (Asthenosoma varium)

2024 to 2025

Project Description

The project aims to assess the toxins of the fire urchin (Asthenosoma varium) taking a proteomic, transcriptomic, and morphological assessment.

Project Importance

Understanding the toxins of the fire urchin (A. varium) is crucial for both ecological and biomedical research. These toxins may play a significant role in the species' ecological niche and could be further influenced by ongoing climate changes may resulting in changes of the species abundance and geographical ranges. Additionally, characterizing these compounds may reveal potential applications in drug development or novel biomaterials. This research fills a gap in the current knowledge of A. varium as its toxins aren’t described and contributes to a broader understanding of venomous marine invertebrates and their impact on reef ecosystems.

Project Methods

The project aims to pursue an integrated approach that combines proteomics, transcriptomics and morphological analyses.
Proteomics: 1D SDS gel electrophoresis, high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and LC-MS/MS are used to identify and characterize toxin components.
Transcriptomics: RNA sequencing is performed to analyze gene expression patterns associated with toxin production, followed by bioinformatic analysis to annotate and interpret gene functions. Both Trizol and Qiagen RNeasy are used to identify differences that may be caused by the procedures.
Morphological assessment: Histological slides as well as Microscopic and imaging techniques will be used to study the structural features of A. varium, focusing on venom delivery systems as spines and pedicellae.
Additionally, separate examinations of individuals are carried out followed by gender analysis to determine possible sex-specific differences in toxins.
This multidisciplinary methodology ensures a comprehensive understanding of the toxin composition of fire urchins and its functional adaptations.

Project Results

As the project is ongoing, no results are currently available. However, it is expected that the proteomic analysis will identify and characterize the toxin components, providing insights into their composition and structure. Transcriptomic analysis is anticipated to reveal the gene expression patterns and genetic mechanisms underlying toxin production. The morphological assessment aims to elucidate structural adaptations of A. varium related to venom delivery, such as specialized features of spines and pedicellariae.
Furthermore, the examination of individual specimens may uncover potential sex-specific differences in toxin composition, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the species’ biology and ecological role.

Keywords

Biochemistry,
Ecology