Research

Funding: IBT, 486.181 EUR

Project Details:
The aim is a comparative study for the MCMV-based vaccine candidate developed at the HZI against RSV in the ferret model at the TiHo and the further technical development of the vaccine candidate at the HZI.

Cooperation Partners:

HZI Braunschweig

Funding: Niedersächsisches Ministerium für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft und Verbraucherschutz, 172.697 EUR

Project Details:
The aim of the project is to classify and evaluate the practical possibility of animal-friendly catching and loading of laying hens from an animal welfare perspective, taking into account aspects of workload and economics. In project part 1, it is planned to monitor the catching of old hens from 20 commercial farms. Since white-feathered hens are often much more active and restless than brown-feathered animals, the catching and crating of both white- and brown-feathered flocks will be documented. In order to obtain reliable data, the catching of 10 flocks per genetic line will be monitored, with 6,000 animals per flock to be caught in an animal-friendly manner. The remaining animals in each flock are removed in the usual manner. In addition to the basic data on the participating flocks, the duration of loading, individual crates (average) and individual animals (differentiated according to the average time for both catching methods) are to be documented during the catching process. Animal behaviour will be recorded in the crates, e.g. on the basis of vocalisation and exemplary behavioural observations (including panting). The findings at the slaughterhouse will be used to assess the effect of the catching method on possible damage to the animals. The workload and costs of animal-friendly catching and loading will also be recorded and evaluated.
In order to obtain reliable data on the possible stress caused by capture, sub-project 2 plans to quantitatively assess stress under experimental conditions for both capture methods (upright versus hanging overhead with fixation to the legs) by measuring corticosterone metabolites in faeces.

Cooperation Partners:

Universität Osnarbrück

Funding: Dr. Rolf M. Schwiete Stiftung, 243.493 EUR

Project Details:
This project aims to develop a system for the visualization and modification of carbohydrate structures on the surface of neuronal cells within 3D neurosphere models. By employing chemically modified sugar derivatives and bioorthogonal ligation chemistry, surface epitopes will be selectively labeled and functionalized for fluorescence imaging. This approach enables the investigation of changes at the cell surface during early brain development in a complex, biomimetic system that recapitulates fetal brain development. The innovative strategy holds the potential to significantly deepen our fundamental understanding of the role of glycans in neuronal development. In the long term, this technology could advance research into the impact of infections on the developing brain and may open new avenues for preventive strategies to reduce the risk of neurological sequelae and neurodevelopmental disorders following fetal infections.

Funding: BMFTR, 39.738 EUR

Project Details:
The planned project will serve to prepare a multilateral project proposal on research and innovation at EU level in order to improve the integration of Eastern Partnership countries into the European Research Area.
The multilateral AgriTransEUROPE consortium consists of six excellent research groups from two
European Member States (D, NL) and three Eastern Partnership countries (GE, UA, ARM). The planned
EU application aims to provide alternative treatment strategies that can replace or complement current antibiotic treatments. The aim is to further develop the use of bacteriophages as a model in the three animal husbandry systems poultry, cattle/pigs and aquaculture. Bacteriophages are viruses that can infect and kill bacterial pathogens. The planned project aims to address global challenges in the food and livestock sector with innovative concepts for the use of bacteriophages.

Cooperation Partners:

Center for Biomedical Engineering, Implant Research and Development (NIFE), Prof. Willem Wolkers

Agricultural University of Georgia 0159 Tiflis Georgien

George Eliava Institute of Bacteriophages,

Microbiology and Virology 0160 Tiflis Georgien

Volodymyr Dahl East Ukrainian National

University Luhansk Ukraine

Yerevan State University Armenia 0025 Jerewan Armenien

Funding: Gesellschaft für Kynologische Forschung e.V., 10.000 EUR

Project Details:
As part of this project, the effectiveness of alternatives to antibiotics (including ozone oil, manuka honey) in dog skin infections caused by Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is being investigated.

Funding: Stiftung Innovation in der Hochschullehre, 339.015 EUR

Project Details:
Gaining knowledge about the anatomy and physiology of the forestomaches of ruminants is an important part of veterinary education. This sets the basis for proper diagnosis of diseases and surgical interventions on this organ system in their future professional practice. During their preclinical study part at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation (TiHo), all veterinary students attend certain anatomical and physiological practical courses related to this topic. These courses also include the work with living animals, hence defined as animal experiments. However, the goal of thorough and sustainable veterinary training, conflicts with the raising legal and public pressure to reduce the number of animal experiments and desired improvement of animal welfare. This project aims to develop a virtual anatomical model of the ruminant forestomaches to be implemented into the Virtual Learning Lab of the Clinical Skills Lab (CSL). This virtual resource can be accessed by all students online at any time, providing flexible learning opportunities. According to the 2022 teaching report, students rated the opportunities for deepening their knowledge at the CSL very positively and expressed a desire for additional offerings that allow for independent and needs-based learning of practical, job-relevant skills. Therefore, a second aim of this project is the development of a malleable 3D model of the rumen, simulating its motility and allows for manual palpation of the organ. Simulations play an important role in medical education and are assessed as very useful by the students when linked to practical relevance. The planned project ranges within the framework of the 3Rs concept for animal experiments providing both, a refinement and a reduction method. Using the simulator, students can learn how to palpate the rumen before they do it on a living animal during the practical course. This helps to reduce anxiety and leads to a more skilled and animal-friendly handling. The virtual forestomach model offers the opportunity for independent preparatory learning and thus contributes to reduce the number of animals used in the anatomical practical courses. During the clinical study phase, both models can be used for repetition of anatomical and physiological basics to support final exam preparation and the acquisition of clinical and surgical skills. Therefore, both models can be used across semesters, promoting the development of learning- and career-related skills and competences.

Funding: Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality of the Netherlands, 174.600 EUR

Project Details:
Pinnipeds are frequently infected with respiratory nematodes commonly referred to as lungworms. Distinctively, lungworms are particularly prevalent pathogens of young harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) in Northern Europe. In the Netherlands, young harbour seals frequently strand on human accessible areas and display severe clinical symptoms associated with lungworm infection; as a result, they are often admitted to the nearest rehabilitation centre for treatment. Currently, the number of lungworm patients admitted for rehabilitation is limited for conservation purposes, however, there is a lack of clear criteria regarding the selection of those lungworm patients that should receive care. Critically, there remains an absence of clinical parameters that directly indicate the disease progression; thus veterinarians lack the clinical tools to determine the severity of the infection, and consequently, the likelihood of survival. Furthermore, there is currently insufficient data regarding the fate of rehabilitated lungworm patients post release. Therefore, to prevent potentially unnecessary admissions of lungworm patients, further insights regarding the severity of infection and post-release survival rates are required.

This research project will employ a multiple strategy approach with the overarching aim to develop a triage system for seal rehabilitation centres to assess prognosis for seals either directly at the point of stranding or upon admission. Through comprehensive investigations, this project will provide unprecedented insights into the pathology of lungworm-infected harbour seals, identify clinical parameters associated with survival to and after release, as well as assess the behaviour and survival of seals post release from rehabilitation using telemetry devices. Ultimately, if applicable, this project will result in the development of a prognostic tool to guide the selection of lungworm-infected harbour seals most suitable for rehabilitation. This project, led by the Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW) in collaboration with three major Dutch seal rehabilitation centres (Aseal Stellendam, Sealcentre Pieterburen and Ecomare), as well as Utrecht University and Wageningen Marine Research, is funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality of the Netherlands.

Funding: Niedersächsischen Ministerium für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft und Verbraucherschutz, 480.000 EUR

Project Details:
Infectious diseases in wild animals are currently on the rise and with them the questions of what these infectious agents mean for native wild animal populations, hunters and other people who handle these animals. Since Covid-19, awareness has once again been raised that infectious diseases from wild animals can be a source of danger for humans. For example, influenza and West Nile viruses have been observed in more and more species, sometimes leading to significant losses in populations. The first-time detection of Usutu viruses in native seals in the Wadden Sea and the new occurrence of myxomatosis in brown hares in North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony are also evidence of the pathogens' enormous tendency to adapt and spread.
Overall, there is great uncertainty among hunters and the general public with regard to infectious diseases in wild animals, so there is an urgent need for action. The Food and Veterinary Institute Braunschweig/Hanover of the LAVES is responsible for the examination of wild animals at the Hanover site. Among other things, the institute deals with pathogen situations, the etiology of diseases and the causes of death of wild animals sent in.
The information and experience on wild animal infectious diseases in Lower Saxony provided by the LAVES, the TiHo and the Lower Saxony Hunting Association (LJN) is to be pooled in the study in order to improve understanding of the occurrence, spread, population significance and risk management.
The aims of the project are as follows:
1. veterinary summary of individual animal findings of wild animals from Lower Saxony
2. to determine the veterinary significance for the various wild animal populations
3. targeted and statistically representative sampling and investigation of newly emerging infectious diseases or suspicious deaths in wild animals
4. analysis of the occurrence and potential impact of infectious diseases on
wildlife populations, particularly in the case of novel pathogens
5. risk assessment and development of hygiene concepts for hunters and other
stakeholders
6. advice for decision-makers on sustainable wildlife infection management

Cooperation Partners:

Lebensmittel- und Veterinärinstitut Braunschweig/Hannover, Standort Hanover (LAVES)

Funding: QS-Wissenschaftsfonds, 29.830 EUR

Project Details:
Infectious diseases pose a serious threat to animal health. There are only two legally required vaccinations in the livestock poultry sector in Germany (Newcastle disease and zoonotic salmonella). In the EU, vaccination against avian influenza was prohibited for many years, as the disease could be controlled by biosecurity and eradication measures. A new legal regulation (VO/EU 2023/361) allows vaccination to be used as part of the control measures. In order to rule out the risks of vaccination, it must be accompanied by close monitoring. According to current data, this will be very costly and may have to be borne proportionately by the livestock owner. In addition to the reduction in animal suffering, a further impact factor is the emotional consequences for the people involved in animal husbandry and care in the event of a complete depopulation of livestock in the event of an animal epidemic. Against this background, our project aims to assess the practical feasibility of vaccination against HPAI in livestock poultry farming. The aim is to record what wishes farmers have regarding the possible implementation of vaccination against HPAI, under what circumstances this can/should happen, what they need for implementation, what support they expect from veterinary medicine and the authorities.The task of this study is therefore to determine, through quantitative and qualitative empirical analyses, which measures are particularly effective against classical avian influenza. What are the prerequisites for successful implementation by the farmers?

Project Details:
The monitoring and evaluation of emotions in animals is of increasing interest due to the public awareness on anima, welfare but also because laboratory animals serve as model species for the development of psychological drugs. The reliable evaluation of emotions is still a scientific challenge, as emotions are not only the result of automatic physiological reactions, but also underline cognitive evaluation processes (Kalat & Shiota, 2007). Thus, the emotional perception of a situation can depend on individual personality or experience. In order to be able to assess animal welfare, it is important to develop reliable methods for recording the emotional state of an animal. Although it is possible to determine an animal's condition using physiological measurements (e.g. blood sampling, implants to measure the heart rate), these measures are invasive and do not provide any information about the emotional valence of the condition (an increased heart rate occurs with both negative and positive emotions). An alternative is offered by behavioural tests that can be used to test the personality of animals as well as the emotional cognitive evaluation of a situation. One way of testing cognitive judgement is the ‘Judgement Bias Task’. The animal learns to distinguish between a positive and a less positive stimulus and to react accordingly. They are then presented with an unknown ambivalent stimulus. Their reaction makes it possible to assess whether an animal is ‘optimistic’ (selects as with a positive stimulus) or ‘pessimistic’ (selects as with a positive stimulus). These findings will allow a better assessment of emotions in animals and can later be used to investigate the impact of different housing conditions, environmental enrichment or pharmacological effects on an animal's emotions.