Research

Funding: Karl-Eibl-Stiftung, 14.280 EUR

Project Details:
Ziel der Untersuchungen ist es, spezifische Referenzintervalle für Bullen der Rasse Deutsches Fleckvieh zu generieren. Hierbei sollen Proben aus der V. jugularis externa untersucht werden. Als Probenentnahmezeitpunkt wird die zweite Probengewinnung (vgl. EU VO 2020/686) frühestens 28 Tage (max. 30Tage) nach Einstallung und Beprobung des "letzten" Tieres der Quarantäneeinheit herangezogen, die routinemäßig bei den Tieren aus seuchenhygienischen Gründen genommen wird. Dieser Zeitpunkt ist auch geeignet, um eine Aussage über die endokrine Reife und damit den Zeitpunkt für den Beginn der Spermaproduktion abzuschätzen. Die Werte sollen auch im Hinblick auf die Spermaquantität und -qualität der ersten Sprünge der Tiere ausgewertet werden, um spezifische Grenzbereiche zu etablieren für Bullen mit höherer versus schlechterer Spermaquantität bzw. -qualität.

Cooperation Partners:

Prof. Heiner Bollwein, University of Zurich | UZH · Clinic of Reproductive Medicine

Funding: Spry Bio, Inc. (USA), 12.500 EUR

Project Details:
Platelet rich plasma (PRP) not only can be used for transfusion to patients with platelet dysfunction who are at high risk of bleeding but also for local wound healing and to treat various diseases such as arthritis. For the latter, growth factors adhering to platelets are thought to play an important role. Platelet solutions, i.e., PRP or platelets in a physiological buffer, have to be locally administered in therapeutic doses at the treatment side. Platelets have a limited shelf life when stored in solution, which may lead to logistic problems for clinical applications. PRP and platelets in a physiological buffer, can only be stored at relatively high temperatures, i.e., above 20°C, during which platelets gradually lose their therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, development of effective platelet biopreservation techniques that maintain platelet functionality are needed to assure off-the-shelf availability. Cryopreservation can be used to store platelet solutions as frozen aliquots, but this requires a complex cold chain logistics, and use of toxic cryoprotective agents that have to be removed prior to use. Dry preservation using natural non-toxic lyoprotective agents such as trehalose would allow room temperature storage and transport.

Funding: Industrie, 260.000 EUR

Project Details:
Pre-clinical testing of a neuroprotective drug

Funding: Drittmittelprojekt, gefördert durch Fritz-Ahrberg-Stiftung., 15.000 EUR

Project Details:
The precise investigation of the muscle-to-meat transition after the slaughter of farm animals is important, because it (could) lead to a better understanding of the processes during these post-mortem changes. This allows the definition and analysis of influencing factors that may have a positive or negative effect on the meat quality. However, since an in vivo analysis of meat formation is difficult to standardize, in vitro models have been developed that are easier to standardize with regard to metabolites/ compositions (e.g. certain organelles such as mitochondria). Since the models have so far been scientifically investigated in pigs and chickens, the study will first establish an already published in-vitro model with pig muscles and then transfer it to bovine and possibly turkey muscles. These models will then be used to analyze the physiological muscle-to-meat transition after slaughter in more detail, also taking into account certain exogenous and endogenous factors, especially the mitochondria. The influence of mitochondria will be examined in more detail, as they have an (important) influence on meat formation. In addition, the models will be used to analyze (pathological) problems in meat formation (e.g. PSE, DFD).

Project Details:
The aim of this study is the validation of the automated analysis of cell count in bovine synovia using the ADVIA 2120i. Corresponding reference ranges for clinically normal joint aspirates should be developed to differentiate these from pathological samples. In addition, further examinations such as the determination of protein content and a microbiological examination of the samples are carried to analyse whether particular parameters can provide information on clinical appearance, diagnostics or therapy. Both macroscopically abnormal and normal joint aspirates are used for examination.

Project Details:
The aim of this study is to analyse the effect of four distict cytokines, which are important in early bovine pregnancy, on the gene expression in cultured primary bovine hepatocytes. PCR is used to detect how the hepatocellular IGFBP-expression changes when the cells are stimulated with different cytokines in different concentrations. This demonstrates the connection between immunological and endocrine changes in early pregnant cows. We particularly focus on IFNτ, the embryonic pregnancy recognition signal of ruminants.

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.

Funding: Roland und Elfriede Schauer-Stiftung, 210.000 EUR

Project Details:
In this project, we hypothesize that glycosylated C-type lectin receptor (CLR) ligands induce a differential expression of CLRs by intestinal macrophages under bacterial dysbiosis, thereby leading to a modulated host immune response. This hypothesis will be tested by performing in vitro and in vivo studies.

Funding: Drittmittelprojekt, gefördert durch die Fritz-Ahrberg-Stiftung., 100.000 EUR

Project Details:
Raw sausage products are stabilised exclusively through a suitable fermentation process. This process, as well as additives and the quality of the raw materials, ultimately determine the safety of the end product. If nitrite is reduced or replaced in the recipe, the production parameters must be adjusted so as not to jeopardise the safety of the products. The consumption of short-ripened and nitrite-reduced raw sausages can pose a risk to the consumer if the lack of drying and altered ripening processes allow pathogenic and spoilage-causing bacteria to multiply.
Bacillus species are bacteria with a broad application profile in food production. They are used as starter cultures in modern biotechnological processes, but also in traditionally fermented products. They are able to form so-called bacteriocins. These are ribosomally synthesised peptides with a high antibacterial activity. Application of these bacteriocins in sausage production can extend the shelf life of food and prevent the occurrence of pathogenic germs. Due to their small size, bacteriocins can also penetrate biofilms or prevent their formation. As starter cultures, bacteriocin-forming bacteria can make an important contribution to the safe production of fermented products and thus contribute to increased safety of short-ripened and nitrite-reduced raw sausages. Bacteriocins also do not affect the sensory properties of food, nor the composition of the intestinal microbiota in humans, as they are degraded by proteases in the gastrointestinal tract. The bacteriocin nisin produced by Lactococcus lactis is approved as a food additive in Europe and has GRAS (generally recognised as safe) status in the USA.
For the reasons mentioned above, Bacillus strains that have not been investigated so far are to tested in the present project for their antimicrobial properties against meat-relevant spoilage and zoonotic pathogens (e.g. Campylobacter spp., listeria and salmonella). With an already established high-throughput method on a laboratory scale, this can be done with a hundred isolates simultaneously. Cell-free culture supernatants are obtained, which are subsequently used to identify the potential bacteriocins. Promising Bacillus isolates are tested in a second step in short-ripened and nitrite-reduced raw sausage products as a supplement to established starter cultures.

Results:

Natürliche Biokontrolle von Listeria monocytogenes in Rohwurst durch die Bakteriozin produzierenden Stämme Bacillus cereus MHI 86 und Bacillus thuringiensis 5-29. 65. Arbeitstagung des Arbeitsgebietes Lebensmittelsicherheit und Verbraucherschutz, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, 23.09.-25.09.2025.

 

Identifizierung und Charakterisierung von Thuricin-17-ähnlichen Bakteriozinen, produziert von Bacillus thuringiensis und Bacillus cereus Isolaten. 64. Arbeitstagung des Arbeitsgebietes Lebensmittelsicherheit und Verbraucherschutz, Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, 24.09.- 27.09.2024.

 

Identification and characterisation of thuricin 17-like bacteriocins produced by Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus cereus isolates. 7th Joint Microbiology & Infection Conference, of the DGHM and VAAM, Würzburg, Germany, 02-05 June 2024, 176-177.