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15 June 2021 | Story Leonie Bolleurs | Photo Supplied
Zurika Murray says the study of Behavioural Genetics at the UFS focuses on human behaviour, specifically neurotransmitter systems, such as serotonin that may contribute to specific behavioural patterns.
Zurika Murray says the study of Behavioural Genetics at the UFS focuses on human behaviour, specifically neurotransmitter systems, such as serotonin that may contribute to specific behavioural patterns.

Hi. I am John. I have anger issues.

Just like John, there are thousands of South Africans with anger issues, often leading to violent crimes such as the more than 21 000 murder cases and 165 000 plus assault cases reported in 2020, according to a study by the South African Police Service and Statistics South Africa.

Aggression can be a great threat to society when it leads to violence. However, it can also be an absolute necessity when it leads to perseverance and a drive towards success and survival. This is according to Zurika Murray, a lecturer in the Department of Genetics at the University of the Free State (UFS), who is doing research on behavioural genetics.

 

Behavioural genetics

She explains behavioural genetics as a study of genetic variation contributing to how an organism interacts with and within its environment. “At the UFS, we focus on human behaviour, and specifically neurotransmitter systems, such as serotonin that may contribute to specific behavioural patterns.”

When one has the right amount of serotonin in your body, it is easier to have stable moods and a sense of well-being.

She says the neurotransmitter (which plays a role in, among others, emotional regulation) acts as a mediator, relaying messages and influencing response to environmental stimuli.  “This system is very adaptable, facilitating our functioning in an ever-changing emotional environment; but when dysfunctional, it can cause quite a number of abnormalities, from anxiety and depression to dysfunctional impulse control and violence. When some individuals are exposed to adverse developmental environments such as abuse and neglect, they can develop aggression and violence.”

“One of our current projects looks specifically at male juvenile delinquency and monoamine neurotransmitter systems (such as serotonin) that may contribute to specific characteristics (such as impulsivity) of delinquency.”

According to Murray, their research is also looking at the genetic variation within specific neurotransmitter genes to see if they could find similarities among individuals with similar developmental backgrounds.  “This neurotransmitter system additionally responds relatively well to physical activity as a management strategy for aggression in some individuals. We are looking at variations in this system that might explain this,” says Murray.

 

Genetic counselling

Apart from the genetic contribution, we also know that the developmental environment plays a very important role. Many people observe anger while growing up – it was thus part of their developmental environment. For them, it is appropriate behaviour in specific situations.

To understand this contribution from the developmental environment, a background in psychology is necessary.  The undergraduate degree in Behavioural Genetics at the UFS has Genetics and Psychology as majors, and this is where the link to genetic counselling comes in.

Murray explains that genetic counselling is a field in medical sciences focusing on helping patients affected by medical conditions to understand the underlying genetics.  For individuals with a family history of genetic conditions (such as specific cancers) or pregnant mothers with foetuses affected by genetic abnormalities (such as Down syndrome), the services of a genetic counsellor are invaluable.  A genetic counsellor will help these individuals understand the cause of the disorder, how it was diagnosed, what the symptoms are, what the progression will look like, if any treatment is available, and what the possible options are (if any) for alternatives.

Genetic counsellors need a strong background in both Genetics and Psychology. To become a registered genetic counsellor, a student completes a BSc degree in Biological Sciences (Behavioural Genetics at the UFS would be ideal).  Thereafter an honours degree in either Genetics or Psychology (though Genetics is preferable).  The student can then apply at either the University of the Witwatersrand or the University of Cape Town for a master’s degree in Genetic Counselling.  This entails two years of study, followed by two years of practical internship. Only after this you will be able to register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a genetic counsellor.

Students studying Behavioural Genetics at the UFS are off to a great start. Murray’s teaching philosophy is to always strive to deliver students who are better than she is. “I can only really do this by sharing my passion for my research. I hope to inspire my students to also always be hungrily curious, to always question, and to find the joy in knowledge and learning.”

News Archive

The launch of a unique conservation project
2011-06-06

 

Our Department of Animal, Wildlife and Grassland Sciences launched a very special pilot project at Woodland Hills Wildlife Estate in Bloemfontein on Friday 03 June 2011, which aims to eventually aid in the conservation and study of one of Africa’s most graceful animals.

The project aims to provide the scientific basis needed for making future decisions in the best interests of the giraffe in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in the Northern Cape and involves collaring and monitoring the behaviour and movement of these animals via GPS.

Based on the public interest in the giraffe and the increased impact of the growing giraffe population on the vegetation in the area, SANParks has been considering the translocation of a number of Kgalagadi giraffe. Due to limited information regarding their adaptation success and potential impact on their new environment, thorough planning and subsequent monitoring of the species is required.

Mr Francois Deacon from our university decided to undertake a PhD study to address the existing challenges. This will be the first study of its kind, undertaken on giraffe.

He says he decided on this project because of his love for animals and conservation. “There are nine sub-species of giraffe and seven of these are already endangered. I want to involve people and make them aware of the plight of the animals and the need for conservation,” he said.

The project kicked off on Friday morning, with a group of students and curious nature-lovers tracking a herd of giraffe at Woodland Hills. The challenge laid in identifying one of the animals which could easily be collared with a GPS device, tranquilising it, and applying the device, without harming the animal.

After a young bull was identified, it was up to Dr Floris Coetzee, a veterinarian, to get close enough to the animal to tranquilise it, and to the group of students to catch it and hold it down. All this was done perfectly and the animal was fitted with its new collars. The collars were designed and made by Mr Martin Haupt, who gained extensive experience in the design of similar collars for other research studies.

Mr Deacon will spend the following two weeks personally monitoring the animal constantly, to ensure that the collars do not cause any discomfort or injury and to determine whether it should be removed or adapted.

It has taken Mr Deacon over a year to plan the collaring process and the associated study. He says the main challenges in the project are financial, since it will cost approximately R500 000 to run over five years.

Thus far he has been supported by Mr Pieter Malan of Woodland Hills, Mr Cas Kempff of Cas Kempff Consulting Engineers and Prof. Frans Swanepoel of the UFS’ Directorate of Research Development, all of whom have been benefactors of the project.
Information gathered from the pilot project will provide the data to assess how to best fit the collar onto the giraffe to ensure that the animal is comfortable and that the collar will last in the wild.  Scientific data will be generated and processed for use by the Woodland Hills Wildlife Estate management.

Should the pilot project be successful, between four and eight giraffe in the Kgalagadi will be tracked using the satellite GPS collars. The GPS collars will enable the constant recording of the location of individual giraffe for up to 2 years. This will allow control and monitoring of the animals in real-time.

The main benefits of the project include, amongst others, improved decision-making, informing tourism development, education and community involvement, improved sustainability and improved cross-border collaboration between South Africa and Botswana.

Anyone who wishes to get involved with the project or get more information, should contact Me. Sonja Buhrmann at sbuhrmann@vodamail.co.za or 0827735768.
 

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