Research

Funding: Deutsche Forschungsgesellschaft (DFG), 398.333 EUR

Project Details:
Virus emergence and re-emergence is an increasing public health
problem as globalization and climate change promote the spread of
infectious disease. This is particularly true for mosquito-borne
infections as mosquitoes continue to spread to new geographic
regions. Alphaviruses such as Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and
Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV) belong to the group of
mosquito-borne viruses, which cause pathology in humans. The re-emerging CHIKV is causing long-lasting arthritis like symptoms, while
VEEV infection leads to encephalitis. Why the two viruses from the
same family cause pathologies in different tissues, i.e. joints versus
central nervous system (CNS), is unclear to date. This gap of
knowledge is reflected by the fact that few host factors for CHIKV and
VEEV are known. Here we capitalize on our findings that the
phosphatidylserine (PS) receptor T cell immunoglobulin mucin
receptor 1 (TIM-1) and a tetraspanin are host factors for CHIKV. We
hypothesize that (a) VEEV also hijacks PS receptors and tetraspanins
to infect human cells, (b) TIM-1 and the tetraspanin interact with
additional proteins to promote infection with CHIKV and possibly
VEEV and (c) that a subset of these host factors contribute to tissue
tropism of CHIKV and VEEV. To test our hypothesis we will initially
use unbiased state of the art quantitative proteomics methods to
identify entry factors and receptors of CHIKV and VEEV. Next we will
screen PS receptors and all 33 human tetraspanins for their role in
VEEV infection by RNA interference in human cells. TIM-1 and
Tetraspanin associated proteins will be identified by proximity labeling
in conjunction with high-resolution affinity enrichment mass
spectrometry. Finally we will investigate the contribution of the
identified host factors to tissue tropism of CHIKV and VEEV using
proteomics, single cell sequencing and virological methods.
Specifically, we will infect skin organotypic raft cultures and determine
the predominantly infected cell type as well as expression levels of
identified host factors in the susceptible versus refractory cells.
Additionally we will integrate expression data from online repositories
and measure proteomes of relevant cell types including fibroblasts
and neuronal cells. Using feature selection approaches, we will
identify host factors, which likely contribute to the distinct tissue
tropism and pathologies caused by CHIKV and VEEV. These host
factors will be systematically knocked out first in relevant cell types
and then in mice to delineate the contribution to disease manifestation
in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, this research program aims at
providing mechanistic insight into the infection processes caused by
two important human pathogens, CHIKV and VEEV. The results will
help understand disease mechanisms and may ultimately reveal drug
targets for therapeutic intervention with Chikungunya fever and
Venezuelan equine encephalitis.

Funding: #

Project Details:
The decline in insect biodiversity with negative consequences for food webs and the loss of ecosystem services is currently dramatic. The causes of the decline in insect diversity are manifold, the qualitative deterioration of their habitats, whether on land or in water, light pollution, habitat loss, competition from invasive species and environmental toxins are just some of the factors. As part of this pilot project, flowering areas and nesting aids for insects are being created on the grounds of the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover Foundation. The results of a species inventory serve as the basis for targeted measures to improve the habitat. The optimizations, e.g. the creation of flowering areas with regional wildflowers, deadwood areas and insect nesting aids, are only the first steps.
Through these measures to promote key species groups, such as wild bees and butterflies, other groups of organisms can also be promoted through deadweight effects due to the improved structural offer, in order to achieve a sustainable optimization of the entire TiHo site.
Further steps are planned as part of the project, which will be scientifically supported by Bachelor's and Master's theses. The TiHo grounds, which are near-natural in many areas, already provide important habitats for numerous rare animals and plants in the urban environment. These habitats are to be recorded in detail, protected and optimized. Other planned measures include improving the ecological condition of the Bünte pond in the park, creating an interactive insect trail and an exhibition with measures to promote biodiversity in urban areas.

Funding: Verein der Förderer der Wildtierforschung e.V., 5.800 EUR

Project Details:
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Cooperation Partners:

Chadi Touma, Abteilung Verhaltensbiologie, Universität Osnabrück

Funding: Morris Animal Foundation, 62.488 EUR

Project Details:
We will investigate brain function, brain metabolism and gut microbiome in dogs to distinguish between epileptic seizures and a episodic movement disorder called paroxysmal dyskinesia - commonly mistaken for epileptic seizures - to improve diagnosis and appropriate treatment

Funding: Fritz-Ahrberg-Stiftung, 100.000 EUR

Project Details:
technique
Summary:
Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an increasingly common food-associated cause of acute viral hepatitis. To ensure rapid pathogen identification and tracing of the infection sources, rapid and reliable detection methods are crucial. Various approaches are available for the detection of HEV, some of which involve considerable effort, such as cultivation of cell cultures or performing animal experiments. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification enables rapid pathogen detection with low-cost equipment and little work effort, qualifying the method for on-site application. Within the framework of the project a LAMP assay for detecting HEV in pork products and liver will be developed and validated. For this purpose, suitable genomic target regions will be identified and used for specific primer design. Assay validation includes analytical specificity and sensitivity testing as well as determining the detection limit in artificially contaminated matrices under the influence of product-typical background flora. Finally, the assay will be applied to natively contaminated samples to define the diagnostic quality criteria of the test procedure. In the second phase of the project, pig livers will be examined using the developed LAMP assay and classified into three categories according to viral load. Afterwards, liver sausages will be produced from this material and tested again so that conclusions can be drawn about the significance of the virus load in the raw material and influences of the production process on the viral load in final products.

Funding: QS Fachgesellschaft Geflügel GmbH, 40.000 EUR

Project Details:
The aim of the project is to scientifically evaluate a combination of different approaches in practice and to comprehensively analyze whether the following measures significantly improve animal health and, in particular, reliably prevent enterococcal infections.

Project Details:
Diese Projekt analysiert Vorstellungsgründe, Symptome, Therapie und den Krankheitsverlauf sowie Spätfolgen von Kaninchen mit einer Enzephalitozoon cuniculi (E.c.)-Infektion. Dazu werden die Untersuchungsergebnisse von Kaninchen mit einem positiven Antikörpertiter gegen E.c. ausgewertet.

Project Details:
Dieses Projekt wertet die Anästhesieprotokolle der Klinik für Heimtiere, Reptilien und Vögel aus. Besonderes Augenmerk liegt hierbei auf der Untersuchung und Ursachenforschung von Narkosezwischenfällen. Außerdem auf der Analyse der verwendeten Medikamente, Narkoseregime und postoperativer Versorgung.

Project Details:
Meerschweinchen werden häufig mit Urinabsatzbeschwerden oder Schmerzen beim Urinabsatz in der tierärztlichen Praxis vorgestellt. Häufig liegen in diesen Fällen bakterielle Infektionen als Ursache vor. Dieses Projekt wertet die mikrobiologischen Untersuchungsergebnisse von Harnuntersuchungen bei Meerschweinchen mit Zystitis aus, welche in den letzten 10 Jahren in der Klinik für Heimtiere, Reptilien und Vögel durchgeführt wurden.

Funding: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, 204.886 EUR

Project Details:
In this research project, systematic investigations on the development and the role of the immune response during Enterococcus cecorum infections in chickens will be conducted for the first time. Until now it is unknown, how the unspecific and specific immune system reacts on the infection.The results of this research project may be fundamental for the development of vaccines against this very important pathogen of broiler type birds.