Curriculum vitae
Professional Experience:
- August 2021 - Current
Postdoctoral Researcher at Institute of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover
Education
- August 2017 – April 2021
PhD candidate in the program “Veterinary Research and Animal Biology”. Thesis title: Development of an in vitro model for studying physiological properties and pathogenicity mechanisms of gut diseases caused by zoonotic pathogens
- October 2014 – January 2017
Master of Science “Animal Biology and Biomedical Sciences”, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation
- October 2011 – October 2014
Bachelor of Science Biology, Gottfried-Wilhelm-Leibniz University Hannover
Main research focus: In vitro virulence monitoring of Brachyspira species in intestinal organoids of different pig breeds
Bacterial diarrhoeal diseases in pigs are of great economic importance, affect animal welfare in all age groups and contribute significantly to the use of antibiotics in pig. Of the seven Brachyspira species found in pigs, most diarrhoeal diseases are triggered by the species Brachyspira hyodsenteriae (BHY) and Brachyspira pilosicoli (BPI).
Treatment of diarrhoea caused by brachyspirial infections is very time-consuming and only a small number of microbial agents are approved for treatment. The significance of differences in the pathogenic potential of different bacterial isolates and the influence of the genetic background of the pig is still unknown. Therefore, a reassessment of the brachyspirial infection to improve the animal welfare and reduce the use of antibiotics is needed. Consequently, the aim of the present project is to understand the pathogenesis of Brachyspira using our established in vitro intestinal organoid model. In addition, the influence of different Brachyspira species and the influence of different genetic backgrounds of the pigs will be investigated.
