Research

Funding: Gefördert mit Mitteln aus zukunft.niedersachsen, 612/ZERN 7897049-TiHo - Open Call, 301.520 EUR

Project Details:
Animal welfare and animal health are, among other factors, substantially influenced by the barn climate. Establishing an optimal barn climate is a complex task, and additional challenges arise from changes in the external climate.
In this project, conducted in collaboration with partners from academia and industry, barn climate parameters and floor temperatures in a forward-looking, animal-friendly housing system are adjusted on the basis of measurements, AI (artificial intelligence)-supported behavioral observations, and accompanying hygiene monitoring. The aim is to ensure that pigs in the rearing and fattening phases make optimal use of pen structures. At the same time, the project investigates from which point onward barn climate control based on the use of enthalpy values becomes meaningful. Furthermore, based on the collected data, heat transfer processes will be represented within a pen model in order to better understand their effects on the microclimate in individual pens.

Cooperation Partners:

Prof. Dr.-Ing. Markus Richter, Robin Kahlfeld, M. Sc,

Institut für Thermodynamik, Fakultät für Maschinenbau,

Leibniz Universität Hannover

Assoziierte Partner:

Big Dutchman AG

H. Bröring GmbH & Co. KG

VetVise GmbH

Funding: DFG (VIPER GKR)

Project Details:
This project aims to investigate the effect of an early (3 days post infection [dpi]) and a late (8 dpi) adoptive transfer of green (GFP) and red fluorescent (RFP) T- cells on the microglial morphology and transcriptomic data in TMEV- infected OT-I and OT-II mice. The contribution of CD8+ and CD4+ T cell subsets for viral clearance and course of clinical disease will be investigated individually as well as the general pathomorphology and immune response with special focus on microglia morphology and transcriptomic data.

Cooperation Partners:

Institut für Neuroimmunologie und Multiple-Sklerose-Forschung der Universitätsmedizin Göttingen

Funding: DFG, 45.000 EUR

Project Details:
Glycoprotein-mediated immune evasion mechanisms of human and animal pneumoviridea

Funding: DFG, 45.000 EUR

Project Details:
Evolution and ecology of RNA-viruses in small mammels

Funding: DFG, 45.000 EUR

Project Details:
Role of adipose tissue as a silent reservoir for respiratory virus replication

Project Details:
Charakterisierung Darmflora und deren Einfluss aus das Immunsystem bei Reptilien

Funding: DFG, 250.000 EUR

Project Details:
It is well known that a number of viral pathogens can be detected in saliva of infected humans and animals. However, for most of these viruses the source of their presence in saliva and in the oral cavity remains unknown. While it has been reported that human salivary glands can be infected by SARS-CoV-2 and some other viruses, the role of salivary gland tissues in infection of pigs with respiratory and most enteric viruses has not been addressed so far. To characterize infection of porcine salivary glands by both respiratory viruses (influenza A virus, porcine respiratory coronavirus) and enteric viruses (transmissible gastroenteritis virus, porcine rotavirus A), differentiated salivary gland epithelial cells and organoid cultures from pigs were established by the group of the PI. In addition to porcine influenza viruses, human and avian influenza viruses will be used to investigate a possible role of porcine salivary glands in interspecies transmission and evolution of influenza virus.

Funding: DFG, 250.000 EUR

Project Details:
The bovine epithelia-choreal placenta protects the fetus from infections with numerous pathogens. However, some viruses, such as bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) or bluetongue virus, are able to cross the placenta barrier during pregnancy. In the case of BVDV, diaplacental infection with non-cytopathogenic (ncp) viruses between the 40th and 125th day of gestation is a mandatory prerequisite for the establishment of persistent infections and is therefore of outstanding epidemiological importance. In contrast, infection of pregnant animals with cytopathogenic (cp) BVDV does not lead to the birth of persistently infected offspring.
An important aspect of the placenta's barrier function against pathogens is innate immunity. First, we want to investigate the innate immune response of polarized bovine placenta cells to dsRNA applied to either the basolateral or apical compartment. Moreover, we will examine the efficiency of viral replication and release of BVDV and other bovine viruses, and characterize the innate immune response after basolateral and apical infection.

Funding: Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt, 215.957 EUR

Project Details:
The project aims to develop an innovative in vitro model that mimics the changes in neurodevelopment
induced by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). This model serves two main purposes: to better
characterize the fundamental processes of neurodevelopment affected by IUGR, and to test the efficacy
and safety of new neuroprotective therapies. As part of a collaboration, a method transfer from our
laboratory to Hannover will be conducted. This transfer allows the developed model to be established and
validated in a broader research environment. The project develops a human cell-based in vitro model that
enables the assessment of IUGR-induced changes in neurodevelopment in the basic functions of
neurogenesis, without the use of experimental animals. This model replaces the current animal model, in
which IUGR is induced by surgical intervention or dietary restriction in vivo. In our laboratory, a special focus is placed on measuring the network activity of neurospheres. This analysis provides deeper insights into the functional effects of IUGR on neuronal development and connectivity. By combining the method transfer to Hannover and the specialized analysis of network activity in our laboratory, the project aims to achieve a comprehensive characterization of IUGR-induced neurodevelopmental changes. This forms the basis for the development and evaluation of new neuroprotective strategies.

Cooperation Partners:

Prof. Marta Barenys, Ph.D., Bf3R, BfR, Berlin

Funding: Bundesamt für Naturschutz, 743.359 EUR

Project Details:
As top predators, marine mammals play a crucial role in the ecosystem, as they regulate and maintain marine food webs, promote the biodiversity of the marine environment and contribute to the overall maintenance of the ecological balance. The protection of their habitats and the conservation of the biodiversity of marine mammals is of great importance and can contribute to the long-term health of the entire marine ecosystem.
Against the background of increasing or shifting populations of marine mammals, lower life expectancy and the increase in anthropogenic activities, threats and conflicts caused by stressors are also increasing, including fishing (bycatch, entanglement, overfishing, habitat degradation), shipping traffic (noise, collisions, pollution), offshore wind energy projects (noise, habitat loss, increasing shipping traffic), raw material extraction, sand and gravel mining and tourism.
Scientifically robust concepts and high-quality data are required to assess the status in order to adopt measures that will subsequently lead to a good conservation status of the respective populations of marine mammal species. To ensure that this data is available as comprehensively, comparably and are-wide as possible regional coordination of monitoring and the indicators used for evaluation is essential.
The aim of this research project is to develop recognized indicators based on reliable data in order to reliably assess the status of marine mammals in the North and Baltic Seas. These indicators are to be defined and coordinated at both regional and national level, which is also stipulated by the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). Various approaches for assessing the status of biodiversity within the framework of the MSFD are being developed, improved and harmonized at international, regional and national level. The indicators are used nationally, regionally and internationally in marine conservation agreements (relevant for Germany: Oslo-Paris Commission (OSPAR) and Helsinki Commission (HELCOM)) by numerous committees and working groups (e.g. under the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES)).
The ITAW plays a leading role in these committees, for example as head of the expert groups and in the development of indicators.
In this way, the project is generating evaluation methods, models, basic knowledge that can be used in the long term, and urgently needed knowledge on options for action, which is required for the implementation of political and social objectives, for example under the (MSFD).