16TH INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH SCHOOL
Population genetics: the story of an invasion
Genetics
This project is dedicated to studying the genetic diversity of the Yakut crucian carp (Carassius carassius) using modern methods of genetic analysis. The Yakut crucian carp is a highly valuable commercial fish species in the Republic of Sakha; however, unfortunately, there is a lack of fundamental research on its biology and genetics. A major problem is the ongoing invasion of the Prussian carp (Carassius auratus gibelio) in many parts of its range. Information on genetic diversity is essential in the context of changing ecosystems, especially in the permafrost region.
Figure 1. Native Yakut crucian carp (top) and invasive gibel carp (bottom)
In this regard, the objective of this study was to assess the genetic diversity of the Yakut crucian carp and to detect signs of a possible invasion.
To achieve this objective, the following tasks were set:
1. Extraction of total DNA from biological samples and amplification of the selected loci.
2. Determination of the allelic composition of the studied loci.
3. Assessment of the genetic diversity of the Yakut crucian carp.
4. Analysis of the presence of invasive species of the genus
Carassius.
To achieve this objective, the following tasks were set:
1. Extraction of total DNA from biological samples and amplification of the selected loci.
2. Determination of the allelic composition of the studied loci.
3. Assessment of the genetic diversity of the Yakut crucian carp.
4. Analysis of the presence of invasive species of the genus
Carassius.
Figure 2. Example of results: DNA gel electrophoresis
The participants will learn the basics of the DNA analysis, master the main technical steps of working with DNA (polymerase chain reaction, electrophoretic analysis, DNA extraction from biological samples), and gain knowledge of population genetics. A significant portion of the course will be devoted to the fundamentals of statistical analysis. All these skills will be applicable in many fields of science. In the course of working on the project, students will go through all the stages of a full-fledged scientific study, which is highly relevant to the region.
Requirements for participants:
We welcome students aged 15-18 with knowledge of school-level population genetics.
Requirements for participants:
We welcome students aged 15-18 with knowledge of school-level population genetics.
Tutors
Pavel Nikolayev
Moscow, Russia
Moscow, Russia
Pavel is a graduate of the Sakha Republican Lyceum and has been keen on biology since his school days. He has long worked with school students from the Republic of Sakha in the field of biology competitions, but has always dreamed of working as part of a research school.
He is also a graduate of the Bachelor’s program at the Faculty of Biology at Lomonosov Moscow State University; in his thesis, he studied the genetic and biological diversity of the White Sea flounder. Since childhood, he has always loved the unique nature of Yakutia and thinks that many of his compatriots share these feelings. He has always had a particular interest in zoology and genetics, which is why he combines both of these fields in his current work.
He hopes that during IRSchool 2026 he will be able to draw attention to the unique Yakutian ichthyofauna and that the participants’ exposure to the field of population genetics will be useful to them in their future.
He is also a graduate of the Bachelor’s program at the Faculty of Biology at Lomonosov Moscow State University; in his thesis, he studied the genetic and biological diversity of the White Sea flounder. Since childhood, he has always loved the unique nature of Yakutia and thinks that many of his compatriots share these feelings. He has always had a particular interest in zoology and genetics, which is why he combines both of these fields in his current work.
He hopes that during IRSchool 2026 he will be able to draw attention to the unique Yakutian ichthyofauna and that the participants’ exposure to the field of population genetics will be useful to them in their future.
Svetlana Nikolayeva
Yakutsk, Russia
Yakutsk, Russia
Svetlana is currently a researcher at the N. N. Blokhin Institute of Experimental Oncology and Carcinogenesis and a graduate of Lomonosov Moscow State University. Apart from science, her interests also include drawing and design.
