Research

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

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: Landwirtschaftskammer Niedersachen , 227.674 EUR

Project Details:
Since the ban on cage housing in Germany in 2010, many laying hens are kept in alternative housing systems with free-range access. In Lower Saxony, approximately 23% of laying hens are housed in conventional free-range systems, while around 16% are kept under organic farm conditions. Particularly in these systems, an increasing parasite burden from intestinal worms has been observed, as worm eggs accumulate in the outdoor areas, and there are only limited biosecurity measures available for prevention and treatment.
Depending on the intensity of the infestation, worm infections can lead to significant health impairments in laying hens. These include general well-being disturbances, reduced performance, delayed growth, gastrointestinal damage and, in severe cases, even death. Effective worm control presents a major challenge for many free-range farms, particularly for those operating under organic standards. Addressing this issue requires strategic planning, targeted interventions and subsequent success monitoring.
The "Worm-free" project focuses on alternative measures to reduce worm infestations in free-range laying hen flocks. Over the course of three years, 50 flocks will be monitored for one production cycle each. By continuously recording management practices and regularly assessing parasite loads, the effectiveness of different farm-specific interventions will be evaluated.
As part of the project, a web application is also being developed to support laying hen farmers in identifying the risk of increased parasite burdens in their flocks and implementing effective countermeasures.

Funding: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)/PTJ Jülich, 165.805 EUR

Project Details:
In phase II of CREATE the subproject of the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, aims at the identification and the establishment of health indicators for native marine mammal species in order to be able to assess the impacts of increasing anthropogenic activities on marine mammals and the marine ecosystem and to be able to detect them at an early stage. For this purpose, health data is analysed from about three decades, as well as data gained during the project, of native marine mammals from the German North Sea and Baltic Sea. The Knowledge gained in phase I on the spatial and temporal occurrence of bacteria and viruses will be used for more extensive investigations in phase II. The aim is to investigate a possible interaction between the occurrence of pathogenic bacteria and viruses and other infections, such as bacterial/viral co-infections or parasite infestation. It will also be analysed to what extent there is a connection between the determined causes of illness and death and the occurrence of certain pathogens. In this context, factors that are relevant to the population as a whole are of particular interest. The chronology of the data can be used to assess whether there have been changes in the burden on marine mammals over the last 30 years. Finally, the analysed data will be evaluated for their suitability for indicators, especially with regard to anthropogenic effects on marine mammal populations. The identification of such indicators would enable long-term monitoring strategies, promote the development of effective management measures and also feed into international agreements such as HELCOM and OSPAR. In addition, the data developed in the project will be used to create various Knowledge formats for stakeholders and thus communicate the here gained findings to the general public.

Cooperation Partners:

Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Bremerhaven inklusive Helmholtz-Institut für Funktionelle Marine Biodiversität an der Universität Oldenburg

Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg

Christian-Albrechts-Universität, Kiel

GEOMAR Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Leibniz-Institut für Ostseeforschung Warnemünde

Max-Planck-Institut für Marine Mikrobiologie, Bremen

Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung

Leibniz-Zentrum f. Mar. Tropenforschung Bremen

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.