Research

Funding: Drittmittelprojekt, gefördert durch Fritz-Ahrberg-Stiftung., 67.500 EUR

Project Details:
Sous vide cooking is the heating of raw ingredients under controlled temperature-time combinations in heat-stable vacuum bags. As with all LTLT cooking methods, the choice of a suitable temperature-time combination is the most important parameter for microbiologically safe food in sous vide-cooking. The aim of this study is to define microbiologically safe temperature-time combinations for the inactivation of pathogens in sous vide-cooked minced beef and pork. In addition, a characterization of technological and sensory aspects of the influence of the sous vide cooking method on hamburger patties is carried out.

Funding: Drittmittelprojekt, gefördert durch die Fritz-Ahrberg-Stiftung., 17.500 EUR

Project Details:
Comparative tests are carried out with different sample materials. Fresh pork, chicken and beef are used, as well as meat products from the categories of raw and cooked sausage and ham (raw and cooked ham).
Three selected sample thicknesses are examined in each case, depending on commercially available cuts and products on offer, in order to be able to assess the influence of the material height on the subsequent analyses. The actual tests then include the measurement of color and texture.
With regard to the color measurement (instrumentally by means of chromameter), an interaction between sample material, sample thickness and background color is examined. The aim is to sensitize subsequent projects to possible influences and misinterpretations in connection with the methodological implementation.
When assessing the texture, various attachment tools are available for instrumental measurement using TA.XTplus, which are to be selected and compared depending on the respective material. The aim is to evaluate the necessity of the different preparation-intensive measurements and to identify comparable tools as well as to compare the measurement results of the different tools.

Funding: MWK, 104.704 EUR

Project Details:
COFONI LZF-TP-Expansion to include the research area
"Interdisciplinary research into the long-term consequences of SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

Results:

https://www.umg.eu/forschung/corona/cofoni/

Funding: MWK via UMG (COFONI), 86.260 EUR

Project Details:
Type I interferon signaling and mitochondrial dysfunction in the heart acute and long-Covid disease.

Results:

https://www.umg.eu/forschung/corona/cofoni/

Funding: Industry (Animal breeding), 1.056.339 EUR

Funding: MWK, 104.704 EUR

Project Details:
COFONI-LPC TechnologiePlattform 2-
Animal models & test systems

Results:

https://www.umg.eu/forschung/corona/cofoni/

Funding: Schaumann Stiftung, 5.000 EUR

Project Details:
Die Leber des Milchkuh ist aufgrund der hohen Milchleistung der Tiere ein wichtiges Stoffwechselorgan. Um detallierte Mechanismen erforschen zu können, soll in diesem Projekt bovine embryonale Zellen zu Hepatozyten differenziert werden. Der große Vorteil stammzellbasierter Hepatozytenmodelle ist, dass man nicht abhängig von gesunden Spenderorganismen ist, aus denen funktionsfähige primäre Hepatozyten isoliert werden können. Im
Rahmen verschiedener Projekte wurden bereits unterschiedliche Protokolle beschrieben, um nach einer in-vitro Differenzierung sowohl morphologisch als auch funktionell möglichst Hepatozyten-ähnliche Zellen ("Hepatocyte like-cells", HLC) zu generieren. Hierbei wurden Stammzellen von z.B. Mäusen nach der Isolation mit
verschiedenen Wachstumsfaktoren, Zytokinen und anderen Faktoren kultiviert. Unter anderem kommt bei der
Differenzierung von Stammzellen zu Hepatozyten-ähnlichen Zellen der Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 (FGF-2),
Aktivin A, Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) und Dexamethason zum Einsatz. Als Qualitätsmerkmale für die
stammzellbasierten Hepatozyten-ähnlichen Zellen werden die zelluläre Morphologie, sowie die Gen- und
Proteinexpression als funktionelle Komponente herangezogen. So sind diese Zellen in der Lage z.B. Albumin zu
produzieren. Ein weiterer großer Vorteil
dieser stammzellbasierten Hepatozyten ist die deutlich längere Lebensdauer im Vergleich zu den primären
Hepatozyten, welche in Kultur frühzeitig phänotypische Altersanzeichen zeigen und generell nur eine kurze
Überlebensdauer haben.

Funding: Gesellschaft zur Förderung kynologischer Forschung e.V., 11.520 EUR

Project Details:
Hypothyroidism is on of the the most commonly encountered endocrinopathy in dogs. However, low thyroxine concentrations are also found as adaptive mechanismen with other diseases (non-thyroidal illness syndrome, NTIS) and it is correlated with severity of diseases and thus, mortality. A discrimination between hypothyroidism and NTIS is not just viable for proper treatment but eminent for patient’s prognosis. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and pro-inflammatory cytokines have been linked to the pathogenesis of the NTIS in both human and animal studies. The aim of this study was to characterize two common canine endocrinopathies (hypoadrenocorticism, hyperadrenocorticism) and their effects on the thyroid gland in the context of a possible NTIS. A NTIS is defined based on an advanced thyroid panel (TT3, fT3, T3RU, TNF-a, IL-1, and IL-2) in canine serum.
Methods In this retrospective cross-sectional study data and left-over of clinical diagnostic serum samples from dogs stratified as healthy, Cushing’s, or Addison diseased were assessed by a single German veterinary laboratory to avoid inter-assay and intra-assay variability via validated chemiluminescence assay and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA [TgAA, IL-1, IL-2, TNF-a]) in accordance to the American Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathologists’ (ASVCP) guidelines for Quality Assurance in Laboratories.

Funding: Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft, 46.497 EUR

Project Details:
The aim of the project is to establish he first agricultural skills lab to improve practical skills in training in order to promote better animal welfare in education. New social and political demands in agriculture, which may require new practical skills, can be implemented in the skills lab and learned and deepened in a protected learning environment. The agricultural skills lab is intended to address different target groups (trainees to become farmers/animal keepers, trainees to become master craftsmen, obtain relevant additional qualifications (e.g. insemination technicians) and students of agricultural science / livestock science) and encourage exchange and learning from one another and with one another between the different groups improve audiences.

Results:

https://www.lksh.de/presse/pressemitteilungen/news/artikel/show/deutschlands-erstes-agriskills-lab-steht-in-schleswig-holstein-heute-oeffnete-der-simulatoren-lernort-im-lvz-futterkamp

Cooperation Partners:

Lehr- und Versuchszentrum Futterkamp, Landwirtschaftskammer Schleswig-Holstein

Dr. Sophie Diers

Gutshof 1, 24327 Blekendorf

Funding: MEKUN, 233.834 EUR

Project Details:
In the previous four years a concept was developed to perform standardized necropsy and examination on all otters found dead in Schleswig-Holstein (SH), to allow for assessment of the general population health status. Even though most otters were roadkills and seemed comparatively healthy, zoonotic agentswere cultured from tissue samples and rare otter specialist parasites were recorded for the first time in Northern Germany. Combined dietaryanalysis includinghard part analysis and genetic metabarcoding were used to depictthe natural prey spectrum of otters. Knowlegde on the otters` diet is of utmost importance in various context, for example in the light of fisheries-otter conflicts. Cementum aging reveiled a rather young average age of the investigated otters from SH. Combined with the ongoing recolonization of the otter in SH, this might be an indication that the population has not finally established itself yet and we face a dynamic process. The findings of various environmental contaminants of concern in the otters from SH were of utmost importance and included potential microplastic particles, pharmaceuticals, rat poison, mercury or per- and polyfluorinated chemicals.

The aim of this project is to combine the expertise from previous years and transform the health assessments into a long-term post-mortem population health monitoring for otters in SH. As top predators, Eurasian otters are indicator species for environmental contaminants or infectious diseases in freshwater ecosystems, like marine mammals in their habitat. By adopting this indicator function, the collection of otter health data shall be continued to allow for the estimation of time trends in future population health assessments. Accordingly, otters found dead in SH will continued to be collected and investigated, including diagnostics such as histology, microbiology and parasitology. The main focus will be on diseased animals and such, where the cause of death is unclear. All other individuals will be screened for relevant indicator pathogens, including distemper virus or high pathogenic avian influenza virus. In addition, parasitological and microbiological investigations will be conducted if assumed necessary. To determine whether hard ticks infecting otters play a role in the transfer of vector-borne disease, all collected hard ticks (Ixodes) from previous years will be determined on a species level. The results will give an overview, which tick species are infecting otters and if the transfer of certain pathogens might play a role here.

In accordance with their role as indicator species of the aquatic environment, systematic mercury analysis will be conducted for the first time on otters from SH. An international collaboration within the EU investigated contaminants in otters and could show that mercury levels in some individuals from SH were very high compared to other top predators. For the planned analysis, samples from the biobank will be carefully selected to ensure a good coverage with regards to age, sex and location of finding. Moreover, first steps to develop biomarkers for environmental contaminants in otters will be made.

Eine systematische Fortführung der Untersuchungen der Fischotter in SH ist von zentraler Bedeutung, um langfristige Populationsentwicklungen einzuschätzen und beurteilen zu können. Als streng geschützte Art und wertvoller Indikator für das Ökosystem Süßwasser bietet ein strategisches Monitoring des Fischotters die Möglichkeit, Arten- und Naturschutz zu verbinden. Auch im Hinblick auf sich abzeichnende Interessenskonflikte, z.B. mit der Fischerei, kann eine solide Datengrundlage zum Fischotter wertvolle Informationsarbeit leisten und sachliche Diskussionen ermöglichen.

In order to estimate and evaluate long-term population trends of otters in SH, a systemic continuation of the post-mortem investigations is needed. As strictly protected species and suitable indicator for the freshwater ecosystem, a strategic monitoring of Eurasian otter represents a valuable tool to combine conservation of both wildlife and nature. Especially when looking at potential conflicts like the otter-fisheries interface, a well developed dataset on otters will help to create information based on scientific facts and ensure objective rather than emotional discussion.