Some chemicals can enhance the effects of other chemicals by affecting the metabolic rate of these chemicals in the affected organism. One group of well known synergists are chemicals affecting P450 monooxygenases.

P450 monooxygenases are used in many organisms to oxidise xenobiotics, whereby they are inactivated. The question is:

* How general this phenomenon is across species of different phylae?

* Do chemicals, which can enhance the effect of other chemicals in for example a crustacean, also act as a synergist in insects? Or worms? Or nematods? Or fish? Or mammals?

* And what about different types of bacteria and fungi?

This/these project(s) primary aims at testing the ability of known P450-inhibitors to enhance the effect of insecticides or other pesticides in different organisms. The types of organisms chosen depend on the background of the student and the collaborative partners.

For further investigation contact Nina Cedergreen on 35 33 33 97 or .