Research

Funding: MWK via UMG (COFONI), 86.260 EUR

Project Details:
Type I interferon signaling and mitochondrial dysfunction in the heart acute and long-Covid disease.

Results:

https://www.umg.eu/forschung/corona/cofoni/

Funding: Industry (Animal breeding), 1.056.339 EUR

Funding: MWK, 104.704 EUR

Project Details:
COFONI-LPC TechnologiePlattform 2-
Animal models & test systems

Results:

https://www.umg.eu/forschung/corona/cofoni/

Funding: MEKUN, 233.834 EUR

Project Details:
In the previous four years a concept was developed to perform standardized necropsy and examination on all otters found dead in Schleswig-Holstein (SH), to allow for assessment of the general population health status. Even though most otters were roadkills and seemed comparatively healthy, zoonotic agentswere cultured from tissue samples and rare otter specialist parasites were recorded for the first time in Northern Germany. Combined dietaryanalysis includinghard part analysis and genetic metabarcoding were used to depictthe natural prey spectrum of otters. Knowlegde on the otters` diet is of utmost importance in various context, for example in the light of fisheries-otter conflicts. Cementum aging reveiled a rather young average age of the investigated otters from SH. Combined with the ongoing recolonization of the otter in SH, this might be an indication that the population has not finally established itself yet and we face a dynamic process. The findings of various environmental contaminants of concern in the otters from SH were of utmost importance and included potential microplastic particles, pharmaceuticals, rat poison, mercury or per- and polyfluorinated chemicals.

The aim of this project is to combine the expertise from previous years and transform the health assessments into a long-term post-mortem population health monitoring for otters in SH. As top predators, Eurasian otters are indicator species for environmental contaminants or infectious diseases in freshwater ecosystems, like marine mammals in their habitat. By adopting this indicator function, the collection of otter health data shall be continued to allow for the estimation of time trends in future population health assessments. Accordingly, otters found dead in SH will continued to be collected and investigated, including diagnostics such as histology, microbiology and parasitology. The main focus will be on diseased animals and such, where the cause of death is unclear. All other individuals will be screened for relevant indicator pathogens, including distemper virus or high pathogenic avian influenza virus. In addition, parasitological and microbiological investigations will be conducted if assumed necessary. To determine whether hard ticks infecting otters play a role in the transfer of vector-borne disease, all collected hard ticks (Ixodes) from previous years will be determined on a species level. The results will give an overview, which tick species are infecting otters and if the transfer of certain pathogens might play a role here.

In accordance with their role as indicator species of the aquatic environment, systematic mercury analysis will be conducted for the first time on otters from SH. An international collaboration within the EU investigated contaminants in otters and could show that mercury levels in some individuals from SH were very high compared to other top predators. For the planned analysis, samples from the biobank will be carefully selected to ensure a good coverage with regards to age, sex and location of finding. Moreover, first steps to develop biomarkers for environmental contaminants in otters will be made.

Eine systematische Fortführung der Untersuchungen der Fischotter in SH ist von zentraler Bedeutung, um langfristige Populationsentwicklungen einzuschätzen und beurteilen zu können. Als streng geschützte Art und wertvoller Indikator für das Ökosystem Süßwasser bietet ein strategisches Monitoring des Fischotters die Möglichkeit, Arten- und Naturschutz zu verbinden. Auch im Hinblick auf sich abzeichnende Interessenskonflikte, z.B. mit der Fischerei, kann eine solide Datengrundlage zum Fischotter wertvolle Informationsarbeit leisten und sachliche Diskussionen ermöglichen.

In order to estimate and evaluate long-term population trends of otters in SH, a systemic continuation of the post-mortem investigations is needed. As strictly protected species and suitable indicator for the freshwater ecosystem, a strategic monitoring of Eurasian otter represents a valuable tool to combine conservation of both wildlife and nature. Especially when looking at potential conflicts like the otter-fisheries interface, a well developed dataset on otters will help to create information based on scientific facts and ensure objective rather than emotional discussion.

Funding: Bundesministeriums für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF), 38.190 EUR

Project Details:
In the context of Listeria monocytogenes infections during pregnancy, neurodevelopmental disorders have been described as post-infectious long-term consequences in surviving children, such as cognitive deficits, learning disabilities or personality changes. Neurons migrate several centimeters through the growing brain to reach the correct position and form the proper connections that ensure normal brain structure and function. Our hypothesis is that Listeria monocytogenes infection causes surviving neural progenitor cells to mature more rapidly, and possibly migrate aberrantly. Aberrant migration may then result in defective synapses, some of which could cause network hyperexcitability. In order to study the functional (network) changes induced by infection with Listeria monocytogenes in the developing brain in vitro, in cells of the target species human, neurospheres (a model for brain development) are generated from human induced pluripotent stem cells in high throughput. These will be used for infection experiments in the joint project. Functional readouts will be used to investigate whether infection with Listeria monocytogenes affects the growth of neurites, the ability of growing neurons to migrate, or to form electrically active networks at different stages of neurosphere development. If the hypothesis is confirmed, additional underlying molecular signaling pathways will be investigated in order to identify therapeutic targets in the long term. In a workshop, interested researchers will be introduced to the culture and analysis of human fetal neurospheres after infection.

Cooperation Partners:

Prof. Dr. Sonja Bröer, FU Berlin

Funding: Gesellschaft zur Förderung kynologischer Forschung e.V., 11.520 EUR

Project Details:
Hypothyroidism is on of the the most commonly encountered endocrinopathy in dogs. However, low thyroxine concentrations are also found as adaptive mechanismen with other diseases (non-thyroidal illness syndrome, NTIS) and it is correlated with severity of diseases and thus, mortality. A discrimination between hypothyroidism and NTIS is not just viable for proper treatment but eminent for patient?s prognosis. Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and pro-inflammatory cytokines have been linked to the pathogenesis of the NTIS in both human and animal studies. The aim of this study was to characterize two common canine endocrinopathies (hypoadrenocorticism, hyperadrenocorticism) and their effects on the thyroid gland in the context of a possible NTIS. A NTIS is defined based on an advanced thyroid panel (TT3, fT3, T3RU, TNF-a, IL-1, and IL-2) in canine serum.
Methods In this retrospective cross-sectional study data and left-over of clinical diagnostic serum samples from dogs stratified as healthy, Cushing?s, or Addison diseased were assessed by a single German veterinary laboratory to avoid inter-assay and intra-assay variability via validated chemiluminescence assay and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA [TgAA, IL-1, IL-2, TNF-a]) in accordance to the American Society of Veterinary Clinical Pathologists? (ASVCP) guidelines for Quality Assurance in Laboratories.

Funding: Das Projekt ist Teil der Modell- und Demonstrationsvorhaben (MuD) Tierschutz im Bundesprogramm Nutztierhaltung. Die Förderung erfolgt aus Mitteln des Bundesministeriums für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft (BMEL) aufgrund eines Beschlusses des deutschen Bundestages, Projektträger ist die Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung (BLE), Förderkennzeichen 2820MDT341., 399.935 EUR

Project Details:
The aim of this model and demonstration project is to scientifically evaluate (partially) mobile slaughtering of poultry and cattle and to communicate the results adequately into practice. Different types of (partially) mobile slaughter units will be analyzed with regard to their effects on the animals (animal welfare) and products from these animals (meat hygiene, meat quality), organizational feasibility, technical requirements, legal conformity and economy. Existing and new scientific findings for the optimization of the above-mentioned aspects will be tested for their suitability, and communicated and transferred into practice. The communication of the results will take place via specialist articles, leaflets/practice guides, specialist videos, homepages, online seminars and information events.

https://www.tiho-hannover.de/stronger

Cooperation Partners:

Forschungsinstitut für biologischen Landbau e.V. (FiBL)

Deutsche Landwirtschafts-Gesellschaft e.V. (DLG)

Funding: Roland und Elfriede Schauer-Stiftung, 210.000 EUR

Project Details:
In this project, we hypothesize that glycosylated C-type lectin receptor (CLR) ligands induce a differential expression of CLRs by intestinal macrophages under bacterial dysbiosis, thereby leading to a modulated host immune response. This hypothesis will be tested by performing in vitro and in vivo studies.

Funding: VolkswagenStiftung, 700.000 EUR

Project Details:
Avian influenza in humans is associated with pneumonia, inflammation and high case fatality rates. We identified CYP19A1 as a key gene involved in sex-specific lung inflammation in SARS-CoV-2 infected hamsters and humans. CYP19A encodes for the aromatase enzyme that converts testosterone-to-estradiol leading to the activation of various estrogen-regulated pathways associated with lung inflammation. Treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infected hamsters with letrozole, a clinically approved CYP19A1 aromatase inhibitor, recovered impaired lung function and overall lung health in males. We further found that also avian H7N9 influenza virus infection mediates massive upregulation of CYP19A1 in the lung of infected animals. Thus, we hypothesize that estrogen-regulated activation of inflammatory pathways in the lung play a crucial role in severe viral disease outcome. Therefore, in this proposal, we will systemically evaluate the impact of compounds that inhibit the synthesis of estrogens (using aromatase inhibitors) or interfere with estrogen-regulated down-stream pathways (using estrogen antagonists, SERMs, SERDs) against avian influenza in the hamster model. Obtained data will provide new insights into estrogen-mediated inflammatory pathways upon infection with respiratory viruses. Moreover, identification of common pathways might result in overarching drug targets to treat inflammatory lung diseases in general.

Cooperation Partners:

Evotec

Funding: Niedersächsisches Ministerium für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft und Verbraucherschutz , 133.410 EUR

Project Details:
The aim of the study is to begin recording the zoonotic potential of raccoon dog, nutria and raccoon populations in Lower Saxony, taking into account the distribution of these and other susceptible animal species in the region. For this purpose, a small number of animals are sampled and autopsied from the hunting grounds. This study is funded by the hunting levy of the MELV.