Research Overview
Emerging contaminants are a big group of compounds, including endocrine disruptors and microplastics. These contaminants are of academic and ecological importance and raise significant public concern. Therefore, research of emerging contaminants can be of great value for popular science education. Marine pollution can cause disease to marine wildlife as well as the exhibition animals in our aquarium. Wildlife diseases are an increasing concern for endangered sea turtles conservation, but their occurrence, causes, and environmental influences are often unknown. Therefore, additional studies are recommended for Taiwan sea turtle populations to improve our understanding of the diseases.
The environmental quality is also closely related to the physiological and psychological health of captive marine mammals. Therefore, the background noise and vocalizations of captive beluga are monitored to improve the environmental noise, training methods and evaluate the environmental enrichment. The stress hormones are also an indicator of physical health in captive beluga whales and could be exploited as a useful monitor of animal welfare in captive marine animals. Cytokines are fundamental for a functioning immune system, and thus potentially serve as important indicators of animal health. The probe-based qRT-PCR assay has established for accurate and reliable detection and quantification of six immunologically relevant genes (IL-2α, IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, IFN-γ and TNF-α) and two validated reference genes (PGK1 and RPL4) in beluga. This assay has the potential to identify immune system deviation from normal state, which is caused by health problems. Furthermore, knowing the immune status of captive cetaceans could help both trainers and veterinarians in implementing preventive approaches prior to disease onset.
Research Content：
Based on the main schemes of each sub-project, the following studies will be conducted.
1.Behavioral ecotoxicology of emerging contaminants in fish
2.Biogeochemical study of microplastics and their associated POPs
3.Selection of the reference gene in blood samples from beluga whales (Delphinapterus leucas)
4.Identification of ChHV5 in green turtles with FP in Taiwan