Research interests

My research interests are reproductive biology of endemic South African reptiles; the role of chemical and visual communication in the social behaviour of reptiles; and the effect of climate change on the thermo-biology of lizards.

Moreover, to contribute towards the conservation of the environment and quality of life, I continually search for links between pure and applied science. Research on different levels of the biological organisation contributes towards developing physiological biomarkers and animal models.

 

Recent publications

VAN WYK, JH Prof. ( 2002 – 2005)

 

2005

 

VAN WYK JH, POOL EJ, HURTER E, LESLIE AJ . The development and validation of Bioassays to detect estrogenic and anti-androgenic activity using selected wildlife species . 2005: 56 pp.

 

2004

 

DU TOIT DA, MOUTON PLN, VAN WYK JH . Effective conservation of melanistic lizard species in the greater Cederberg Biodiversity Corridor . 7th Herpetological Association of Africa Symposium, Bayworld, Port Elizabeth, South Africa 2004.

 

SHUTTLEWORTH C, MOUTON PLN, VAN WYK JH . Is the southern harvester termite ( Microchodotermes viator ) an essential item in the diet of the group-living lizard, Cordylus cataphractus ? . 7th Herpetological Association of Africa Symposium, Bayworld, Port Elizabeth, South Africa 2004.

 

2003

 

ANKLEY G, KLOAS W, BRAUNBECK T, CLEGG E, KELLY D, MINIERO R, NORRGREN L, PABLOS V, PICKFORD D, RUFLI H, TOUART L, VAN WYK JH . Development of a Reproductive Toxicology Assay with Xenopus : Current Potential Avenues and Research Needs . 2003: 11 pp.

 

HURTER E, VAN WYK JH . Anti-androgen and thyroid (amphibian metamorphisis) bioassays to detect EDC activity in water . Water Research Council Workshop: Bioassays to detect EDC activity in water, Morgenhof, Stellenbosch, South Africa 2003.

 

HURTER E, VAN WYK JH . Vitellogenin as biomarker for estrogenicity in water . Water Research Council Workshop: Bioassays to detect EDC acitivity in water, Morgenhof, Stellenbosch, South Africa 2003.

 

HURTER E, POOL EJ, VAN WYK JH . Description, validation and implementation of a sensitive in vitro bioassay for detecting environmental estrogenicity using ex vivo Xenopus laevis liver slices . Joint European-Southern African International Conference: Pesticides in non-target agricultural environments, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa 2003.

 

POOL EJ, JAGALS C, VAN WYK JH, JAGALS P . The use of IL-6 induction as a human biomarker for inflammatory agents in water. Water Science and Technology 2003; 47 : 71-75.

 

POOL EJ, VAN WYK JH . Antibodies an ELISA methods in water related research . Water Research Council Workshop: Bioassays to detect EDC activity in water, Morgenhof, Stellenbosch, South Africa 2003.

 

POOL EJ, VAN WYK JH . Cytotoxicity, inflammatory and other EDC related bioassays in water related research . Water Research Council Workshop: Bioassays to detect EDC activity in water, Morgenhof, Stellenbosch, South Africa 2003.

 

TAKAICHI S, MIZUHIRA V, HASEGAWA H, SUZAKI T, NOTOYA M, EJIRI S, OZAWA H, VAN WYK JH . Ultrastructure and early embryonic shell formation in the terrestrial snail, Euhadra hickonis . Journal of Molluscan Studies 2003; 69 : 227-242.

 

VAN WYK JH . Endocrine disruptor research activities at the Ecophysiology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Stellenbosch: Past, Present and Future . Water Research Council Strategic Planning Workshop on EDC Reseach, Morgenhof, Stellenbosch, South Africa 2003.

 

VAN WYK JH . The African clawed frog, Xenopus laevis as model to study endocrine disruptors in the South African aquatic environment . Eco-Toxico-Genomics Symposium, Okazaki, Okazaki, Japan 2003.

 

VAN WYK JH, POOL EJ, HURTER E . Assessment of estrogenicity in selected water samples supplied by SASOL . 2003: 10 pp.

 

VAN WYK JH, POOL EJ, HURTER E . Development, validation and implementation of bioassays for endocrine disrupting contaminants in water . 2003: 62 pp.

 

VAN WYK JH, POOL EJ, LESLIE AJ . The effects of anti-androgenic and estrogenic disrupting contaminants on the breeding gland (nuptial pad) morphology, plasma vitellogenin levels and plasma testosterone levels in male Xenopus laevis . Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 2003; 44 : 247-256.

 

VAN WYK JH, POOL EJ, LESLIE AJ, HURTER E . An assessment of estrogenic activity in three agricultural areas (vine, fruit and wheat growing) in the Western Cape, South Africa . Joint European Southern African International Conference: Pesticides in non-target agricultural environments, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa 2003.

 

2002

 

HURTER E, POOL EJ, VAN WYK JH . Validation of an ex Vivo Xenopus liver slice bioassay for environmental estrogens and estrogen mimics. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 2002; 53 : 178-187.

 

POOL EJ, ROBSON PJ, SMITH C, VAN WYK JH, MYBURG K . In vitro interleukin-6 release in whole blood cultures in samples taken at rest from triathletes and professional rugby players. European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology 2002; 87 : 233-237.

 

POOL EJ, VAN WYK JH . IL-6 secretion by human whole blood cultures as biomarker for immune system disruption . SETAC Conference 12th Annual Meeting, Vienna, Austria 2002.

 

POOL EJ, VAN WYK JH . The use of IL-6 induction as a human biomarker for inflammatory agents in water . IWA 3rd World Water Congress, Melbourne, Australia 2002.

 

POOL EJ, VAN WYK JH, HERMANN M, IVESSAB NE, HURTER E . The development of an ELISA for chicken apolipoprotein II quantitation. Journal of Immunoassay 2002; 23 (4) : 439-449.

 

 

VAN WYK JH . Endocrine disruptors in the aquatic environment: The South African Perspective . IWA World Congress Melbourne 2002, Melbourne, Australia 2002.

 

VAN WYK JH, POOL EJ, HURTER E . Assesment of estrogenicity in selected water samples supplied by SASOL . 2002: 10 pp.

 

VAN WYK JH, POOL EJ, HURTER E . Estrogenicity and imflammatory activity in the water supply system, including the water reclamation plant of the City of Windhoek . 2002: 10 pp.

 

 

 

Current postgraduate students

Doctoral:

Marna Esterhuysen

Susana Clusella-Trullas

 

Current Collaborators

Dr Edmund Pool: University of Western Cape

 

Professional activities

Member: Zoological Society of Southern Africa

Member: International Society of Vertebrate Morphologists