Research

Funding: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung über Projektträger Jülich/Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH, Rostock, 443.773 EUR

Project Details:
The habitat of marine mammals is strongly characterised by anthropogenic use in the North and Baltic Seas. Marine mammals are sensitive to Stressors such as maritime traffic, offshore wind energy development, pollution and fishing. These activities can lead to habitat degradation for marine mammals, as habitat loss or fragmentation often occurs.
The interdisciplinary and cross-scale end-to-end (E2E) modelling System developed in the first phase of CoastalFutures will be extended in phase II to model the occurrence of marine mammals under different future scenarios. This novel tool now offers the possibility to analyse the effects of climate change and anthropogenic activities on indicator species by generating a virtual environment. For the first time, simulations on the effectiveness of various management measures for the protection and Conservation of marine mammal populations can be carried out in phase II, thus providing Knowledge for action for the implementation of political decisions. The impact of underwater noise on harbour seals as a result of the expansion of offshore wind farms (OWFs) is estimated at population level using a multifactorial assessment. Animal movement models are extended to include aspects of animal physiology so that effects on the energy budget can be integrated, while the effects of other Stressors and management measures are also considered, taking future climate conditions into account. In addition, potential impacts, such as the role of OWFs as artificial reefs and noise impacts on marine mammals, will be analysed and assessed to explore negative and positive effects. This in turn leads to a quantitative assessment of the food and habitat base for marine mammals and the exposure to Stressors in the marine protected areas.

Cooperation Partners:

-Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Institute of Coastal Systems - Analysis and Modeling

-Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research, Warnemünde

-Technische Universität Braunschweig, Leichtweiß-Institute for Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources

-Thünen-Institut (TI für Seefischerei, TI für Ostseefischerei)

-Leibniz Universität Hannover, Ludwig-Franzius-Institut

-Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Bremerhaven

-Technische Universität Hamburg, Institute of River and Coastal Engineering

Assoziierte Partner:

-Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie

-Deutscher Wetterdienst

-Bundesanstalt für Wasserbau

- Bundesamt für Naturschutz

Funding: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) , 322.642 EUR

Project Details:
The proposed research project aims to develop iron-based materials with an antibacterial effect as innovative implant materials to prevent implant infections. Infections counteract the benefits of the implants and are associated with considerable patients burdens and follow-up costs. They are connected with biofilm growth on the implant surface, which protects the causative germs from the immune system and therapies. Even with high medical standards, an infection cannot be completely avoided. Thus, among others, the increasing spread of multi-resistant germs endangers progress in medical technology. Most of the currently used inert implant materials have been developed without considering the problem of infection. Therefore, various approaches to modify implants are increasingly being addressed, e.g. by releasing anti-bacterially effective silver ions. The scope of the proposed research project is to create near-surface phases of a degradable silver alloy within an inert iron-based implant material for an adapted release of silver to prevent infection. Low doses are sufficient as the ions are released directly at the target site thus, bypassing the shielding effect of the biofilm. The complete insolubility of iron and silver in each other enables the setting of these silver phases but makes processing challenging. Powder metallurgical processes, such as laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), enable the processing of powder mixtures of the individual material components. Thus, LPBF is applied to set adapted phases of a degradable, functional silver alloy at the surface of iron-based, inert material 316L, resulting in a targeted release of silver ions. Due to particle release from the alloy, biocompatibility studies are examined with different cell types like primary osteoblasts and cell lines (fibroblasts and endothelial cells) to study inflammation parameters and anomalies of cell metabolism. Furthermore, co-incubation experiments with bacteria and cells are planned to study the antibacterial effect in various infection scenarios.

Results:

https://gepris.dfg.de/gepris/projekt/538437364?language=en

Funding: Associations, 54.000 EUR

Funding: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF), 179.695 EUR

Project Details:
The study of animal immune systems in their natural environment is gaining increasing importance. In addition to naturally occurring factors influencing the immune system, the growing environmental stressors to which animals are exposed highlight the significance of the research field of ecoimmunology. This is particularly true for mosquitoes, the most important vectors of various pathogens, whose development, immune system, and vector competence are strongly influenced by environmental conditions. A key environmental factor is exposure to pollutants, which have become increasingly prevalent due to their widespread use.

This project focuses on analyzing mosquito breeding sites, assessing their contamination with various pollutants, and investigating the interaction between pollutant exposure and mosquito vector competence. In the first work package, field samples are collected and analyzed, and the most common pollutants are tested in laboratory experiments for their effects on mosquito larvae. Dose-response experiments are conducted to determine sublethal doses of these substances for use in subsequent experiments. In the second work package, behavioral assays are performed to assess oviposition preferences of female mosquitoes in pollutant-contaminated water samples. Larvae are reared in the test waters defined in Work Package 1 to investigate the impact of pollutant exposure on their development. Additionally, transcriptome analyses are carried out to explore changes in gene expression in larvae resulting from pollutant exposure.

The third work package investigates the vector competence of mosquito larvae for West Nile virus (WNV) after exposure to different pollutants during development. Both WNV-infected larvae reared in pollutant-containing water are examined in the adult stage for their ability to transmit the virus to blood meals, and uninfected larvae are reared in the same test waters, then infected as adults to measure viral load in saliva and viral kinetics. The findings from these studies aim to enhance our understanding of the interactions between environmental pollution and vector competence.

Cooperation Partners:

RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Institut für Umweltwissenschaften

Funding: H. Wilhelm Schaumann Stiftung, 5.000 EUR

Project Details:
The feeding of farm animals has a big influence on our environment. Due to both, the resources fed and the excreted metabolic products, it is important to understand physiological processes in the metabolism of farm animals. Especially with regard to the "One Health" concept, we have to develop ways to ensure the health of humans and animals, as well as the supply of
food, despite the increasing world population and scarcity of resources, while minimizing the influence on nature.
Due to their ability to recycle phosphorus (P) and their nitrogen (N) utilization by the forestomach microbes, ruminants in particular represent an interesting test group for reducing
N- and P- levels in feed to a minimum. The planned studies should contribute to a better understanding of the adapted metabolic
processes during P- and N-reduced feeding and focus particularly on the regulation of amino acid transport in the liver under stress conditions.

Funding: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), 427.078 EUR

Project Details:
Therefore, we are particularly interested in this initial host-pathogen interaction that determines the outcome of the disease. In the present project, we will therefore investigate this important initial interaction of Mmm with the primary target cells of the host organism, both in vitro and in vivo, at the molecular level. In particular, we will elucidate the molecular basis of adhesion of the pathogen to the host cell. To this end, we will identify adhesins of Mmm and determine their cellular receptors. We will also study in detail the early response of host epithelial cells to contact with the pathogen. In addition, we will study the antibody response against molecules involved in the early phase of infection. The overall goal of this project is to better understand the molecular basis of the early interaction between pathogen and host. In doing so, we aim to identify target structures that may facilitate the development of new therapeutic tools.

Cooperation Partners:

PD Dr. Robert Kammerer

Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut

Bundesforschungsinstitut für Tiergesundheit

Institut für Immunologie

17493 Greifswald

Dr. Christiane Schnee (seit 12/2024)

Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut

Bundesforschungsinstitut für Tiergesundheit

Institut für molekulare Pathogenese

07743 Jena

Victor Mobegi, Ph.D.

University of Nairobi

Department of Medical Microbiology

Nairobi

Martin Kiogora Mwirigi

Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization

Nairobi

Elise Schieck, Ph.D.

International Livestock Research Institute, Nairobi

Dr. Martin Heller (bis 12/2024)

Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut

Bundesforschungsinstitut für Tiergesundheit

Institut für molekulare Pathogenese

07743 Jena

Project Details:
The research project "WORMICs" investigates the three-dimensional genome structure of the giant mealworm (Tenebrio molitor) and the superworm (Zophobas atratus) in collaboration with the institutes of food quality and safety and animal nutrition. The overall aim is to support the development of novel protein sources and, in particular, to achieve a deeper understanding of the genetic basis of growth and developmental processes in these insect species. A special emphasis is placed on the genetics of growth and the genomic regulation of growth-related traits. A central focus of the project is the methodological advancement and optimization of 3D genomics protocols, covering the full workflow from sample preparation and library construction to sequencing. The resulting sequencing data are analyzed using advanced bioinformatics approaches to identify structural and functional genomic features.

Funding: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung / DLR, 182.810 EUR

Project Details:
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health threat that involves complex, opaque transmission
processes between humans, animals and the environment. The particular role of wildlife and the
environment in the emergence, maintenance, dissemination and transmission of AMR bacteria and AMR genes is widely unknown. In the MARRES project, AMR bacteria from grey and harbour seals of the North and Baltic Sea and of sea water (environmental - eDNA) will be determined to perform a targeted surveillance of these two marine ecosystems. State of the art microbiological techniques, genome and metagenome sequencing will be applied. The evaluation of published human and animal AMR data of the investigated areas as well as on a global scale shall put the obtained results from this almost unexplored field into a One Health context. The approach covers three One Health settings of marine ecosystems as one of the greatest players in Global Health. It promises to provide relevant insight into transmission pathways of AMR bacteria, including pathogens, and of AMR determinants between humans, wildlife and the environment. A database for AMR associated to marine mammals in the Baltic Sea will be established following the FAIR principles. On a longer term, this project should be the starting point to establish a transnational network between experts in the field of AMR and marine biologists in Europe. The implementation of a harmonized AMR surveillance in the marine ecosystem sector will significantly contribute to AMR mitigation strategies and thus to public health.

Cooperation Partners:

Project coordination: Prof. Dr. Christa Ewers, Institute of Hygiene and Infectious Diseases of Animals, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Germany

Dr. Iwona Pawliczka vel Pawlik, University of Gdańsk, Institute of Oceanography, Hel Marine Station, Poland

Prof. Modestas Ruzauskas, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Microbiology and Virology Institute, Lithuania

Žilvinas Kleiva, PhD, Lithuanian Sea Museum, Lithuania

Martin Hölzer, Robert Koch Institute, Germany

Funding: Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung (BLE), 630.245 EUR

Project Details:
The FUETURE project aims to efficiently utilize regional feed resources to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency in broiler chicken production. It seeks to develop an innovative approach based on the use of adaptable and resilient sustainably cultivated feed crops and previously underutilized domestic crops. Sustainability will be strengthened by reducing imports of unsustainable soy products from overseas. The scientific objective is to formulate regional feed rations taking into account sustainability criteria and the availability of co-products to reduce the environmental footprint of chicken meat. The environmental impact will be significantly reduced through innovative feed technology and precise supplementation of feed additives. The project aims to strengthen more sustainable regional food production and supports the German sustainability strategy.

Cooperation Partners:

KWS Lochow GmbH, Technische Hochschule Bingen, IFF Braunschweig

Funding: DFG- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, 456.829 EUR

Project Details:
PREGROW-project aims to provide a single nuclei transcriptional profile of the pituitary and its downstream targets in miniature-sized and larger-sized pigs as a model for prepubescent growth control. This approach is meant to meet a big challenge we encounter in research work on growth: Body size is a whole-organism phenotype with many different tissues involved, and the variant effects are expected to be complex. For this reason, PREGROW aims at studying the genetic landscape of growth-axis-related tissues in the pig, providing a genetic resource for deciphering mechanisms of gene interplay, and underlying variant effects. The objective is to perform a functional trait-cell type enrichment for previously identified genome-wide associated growth and height loci obtained from GWAS by assigning them to cell types identified in gene expression data on single nuclei level. The project aims at identifying those genes, which are differential in large versus miniature pigs, and can thereby be considered as important fine-regulators of prepubescent growth in pigs, in addition to the known hormonal axis regulation by growth hormone/IGF.

Cooperation Partners:

Prof. Malte Spielmann, Universität zu Lübeck