Research

Funding: DFG, 491.000 EUR

Project Details:
The aim of the project is to analyse host-parasite interactions between the Fasciola hepatica as parasite and dairy cows as host, taking into account the genome of both interaction partners. Until now, studies on endoparasite resistance have focused exclusively on the genome of the host or the parasite, without considering genotype-genotype interactions between these two players. Therefore, for the first time, interactions will be modelled considering bovine genotypes (Gh) and F. hepatica genotypes (Gp).

Results:

May, K., Hecker, A.S., Strube, C., Tong, Y., König, S. (2025) Genetic parameters and single-step genome-wide association analysis for trematode (Fasciola hepatica and Calicophoron / Paramphistomum spp.) infections in German dairy cows. Infection, Genetics and Evolution 128, 105712

 

Hecker, A.S., Raulf, M.-K., König, S., Knubben-Schweizer, G., Wenzel, C., May, K., Strube, C. (2024) In-herd prevalence of Fasciola hepatica and Calicophoron/Paramphistomum spp. infections in German dairy cows with comparison of two coproscopical methods and establishment of real-time pyrosequencing for rumen fluke species differentiation. Veterinary Parasitology 327, 110142

 

May, K., Hecker, A.S., König, S., Strube, C. (2024) Helminth co-infections have no additive detrimental impact on milk yield and milk quality compared to mono-infections in German dairy cows. Parasites & Vectors 17, 398

Cooperation Partners:

Dr. Dr. Katharina May, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen

Funding: MWK über Uni Göttingen, 8.400.000 EUR

Project Details:
SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus Type 2) is the causative agent of COVID-19. The course of the COVID-19 pandemic so far has emphatically shown that a coordinated bundling of interdisciplinary and complementary expertise is necessary in order to decode the diverse aspects of the biology, pathology and epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 and to use the knowledge gained clinically for the treatment of patients as well as for modeling the course of infection in the population. In order to be able to provide and implement such a holistic approach, the federal state of Lower Saxony offers ideal conditions with its internationally renowned science locations. We are therefore applying for financial support for collaborative research to set up a COVID-19 research network in the state of Lower Saxony (COFONI).

Funding: Nordic Research Council (NRC), 49.000 EUR

Project Details:
The retreat of sea ice and the melting and retreat of tidewater glaciers are particularly visible signs of the changes taking place in the Arctic due to global warming. The deterioration of these two physical features of Arctic marine systems is occurring faster in the northern Barents Sea than elsewhere in the circumpolar Arctic, making the Norwegian High Arctic an indicator of climate change in the Arctic region as a whole. The changes will undoubtedly have profound effects on marine ecosystems in the High Arctic and consequences for endemic Arctic marine mammal species.
The ARK research programme will use a variety of data time series (occurrence, ecology, diet, contaminant levels, health parameters, infectious diseases, trophic interactions, etc.) to quantitatively assess different hypotheses on climate change impacts on Arctic marine mammals: 1) Habitat decline will lead to declines in ice-dependent species, changes in distribution patterns and, in the long term, species extinction. 2) Endemic species will increasingly compete with temperate species, which are expanding their habitats. 3) Exposure to new pathogens and increased levels of pollutants will have a negative impact on endemic species. 4) Atlantification of food webs will negatively impact Arctic species and affect the entire Arctic ecosystem.
Within the ARK project, the Kongsfjord, on the west coast of Spitsbergen, will be used in a case-study approach to investigate changes in the ecosystem, apply physical-biochemical food web models and complex risk analyses to make predictions and provide management information.

Cooperation Partners:

Kooperationsprojekt mit dem Norwegian Polar Institute, Tromsø

Funding: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft DFG, 331.800 EUR

Project Details:
Investigation of the role of T cells in the immune pathogenesis of the infectious bursitis virus. The project is embedded in the DFG-research group "ImmunoChick".

Cooperation Partners:

PD Dr. Angela Berndt, FLI

PD Dr. U. Methner, FLI

PD Dr. S. Härtle, LMU München

Prof. Dr. T. Göbel, LMU München

Prof. Dr. B. Kaspers, LMU München

Prof. Dr. B. Kaufer, FU Berlin

Prof. Dr. M. Meissner, LMU München

Prof. Dr. B. Schusser, TU München

Prof. Dr. J. Kaufman, University of Cambridge

Project Details:
Diagnostic imaging of the equine cervical and thoracic spine has become increasingly important in recent years. The focus is on radiographic examinations, but also nuclear medicine and computed tomography are commonly used to address various clinical questions.
This project deals with the clinical relevance of radiographic and nuclear scintigraphy findings of the thoracic spine in relation to back pain and rideability problems as well as the diagnostic value of computed tomography and computed tomographic myelography in horses with spinal ataxia.

Funding: MWK über Uni Göttingen, 732.193 EUR

Project Details:
Das SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-Type 2) ist der Erreger von COVID-19. Der bisherige Verlauf der COVID-19 Pandemie hat nachdrücklich gezeigt, dass eine koordinierte Bündelung von interdisziplinären und komplementären Expertisen notwendig ist, um die vielfältigen Aspekte der Biologie, der Pathologie und der Epidemiologie von SARS-CoV-2 zu entschlüsseln und die gewonnenen Erkenntnisse sowohl klinisch für die Behandlung von Patienteninnen und Patienten als auch für die Modellierung von Infektionsverläufen in der Bevölkerung einzusetzen. Um einen solch holistischen Ansatz leisten und umsetzen zu können, bietet das Bundesland Niedersachsen mit seinen international renommierten Wissenschaftsstandorten ideale Voraussetzungen. Das Forschungsnetzwerk COFONI arbeitet am Aufbau eines COVID-19 Forschungsnetzwerkes des Landes Niedersachsen (COFONI)um gebündelt Forschungsvorhaben zur Entwicklung neuer Strategien zur Bekämpfung von COVID-19 zu entwickeln. Hauptfokus der Technologieplattform Tiermodelle ist der Aufbau von Tiermodellen für COVID-19.

Project Details:
In this 5-year monitoring-study the density, diversity and community structure of Collembola and Mesostigmata of three different biotope types (oak-hornbeam-mixed forest, drainage ditch (edge), wet meadow) are investigated in the nature reserve Riddagshausen, a Flora-Fauna-Habitat (FFH) area characterized by a small scale mosaic of different habitat types like ponds, meadows, farmland and mixed forests. In each of the biotope types 10 sampling points spaced at least 20 m apart from each other were selected at random. Large spacing was done to avoid spatial autocorrelation, samples therefore were assumed to be independent.
Starting in March 2021 ten soil cores (diameter 5 cm) were taken at each of the biotope types (one soil core per sampling point). The cores were subdivided into two horizons (litter layer, 5 cm mineral soil). The soil cores were used to extract Collembola, Gamasida and soil macrofauna using a modified high gradient canister method (Macfadyen, 1961; Schauermann, 1982). Collembola and Mesostigmata were determined to species level.
Moreover, Collembola species were aggregated into three different functional groups according to their vertical distribution (epedaphic, hemiedaphic, and euedaphic). These groups differ in their dispersal ability and other attributes such reproduction, mobility, metabolic activity and feeding behaviour.
This sampling and identification pattern will be repeated every year (2021-2025) in early spring (March/April).
We expect changes in the soil fauna communities of the investigated biotope types due to strong differences in the amount of precipitation between the years.

Cooperation Partners:

1) Prof. Stefan Scheu, J.F. Blumenbach Institute of Zoology and Anthropology, University of Goettingen

2) Dr. Bernhard Klarner

Funding: Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung, Berlin, 413.140 EUR

Project Details:
The project VetAmUR (Veterinary Antimicrobial Usage and Resistance) is a research project that, following the VetCab-S project, is carried out to describe the use of antimicrobials in farm animals in Germany as well as connect this with resistance data for those antimicrobials.

Background: Despite many independent investigations, no direct link between the information on antimicrobial usage and antimicrobial resistance could be estab-lished in German livestock husbandry so far. Therefore, an extensive and detailed risk assessment in regards to antimicrobial resistance is not possible, even though such an assessment is required on an international basis (Global Antimicrobial Re-sistance Surveillance System - GLASS, https://www.who.int/glass/en/). To accom-modate this demand, the VetAmUR project was initiated.

In the area of resistance data, the focus is on collecting data at farm level and de-scribing its heterogeneity with the aim of creating a standardised documentation template.

Additionally, specific periods within the fattening process and specific indications for antimicrobial administrations are documented and observed closely to deter-mine alternative treatments and prevention strategies.

Results:

Bonzelett C, Rehberg B, Winkelmann TS, Käsbohrer A, Kreienbrock L. Documentati-on of antimicrobial resistance data in veterinary practices in Germany. Berliner und Münchener Tierärztliche Wochenschrift. 2024;137:1-13 . doi: 10.2376/1439-0299-2023-14

Funding: Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft, 224.100 EUR

Project Details:
The aim of the project is to transfer an innovative concept for cold-storage of liquid preserved boar semen into practise. This enables the reduction of antibiotics in the preservation medium and additionally, the optimization of the transport logistics of the semen portions from semen collection centers to the sow farms. The environmental impact resulting from antibiotic use is reduced and possibilities for efficient use of boar semen are tested in practice. Thus, the CoolSperm project particularly promotes sustainability and efficiency in future-oriented pig breeding.

Results:

doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.01.025

doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305280

doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2024.107486

doi: 10.3390/antibiotics12050857

10.1016/j.anireprosci.2024.107486

Cooperation Partners:

Institut für Fortpflanzung landwirtschaftlicher Nutztiere

Förderverein Bioökonomieforschung (FBF e.V.)

Genossenschaft zur Förderung der Schweinehaltung eG (GFS)

Minitüb GmbH

Funding: Bundesministerium für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung, Bundesprogramm Nutztierhaltung, 305.117 EUR

Project Details:
The goal of this project is to reduce the environmental pollution caused by the entry of antibiotics and resistant bacteria from pig breeding. Worldwide, antibiotics are added to liquid preserved semen portions in order to inhibit bacterial growth during semen storage.The present study aims to establish an innovative concept to eliminate bacteria without using conventional antibiotics. The concept is based on the photodynamic inactivation (PDI) of bacteria. Specifically, the aim is to inactivate microorganisms in boar semen using the photodynamic effect and, thus, to avoid bacterial growth and
exchange of resistance genes in the environment.

Results:

DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1429749

Cooperation Partners:

Humboldt Universität zu Berlin

Minitüb GmbH