Research

Funding: DFG, 502.000 EUR

Project Details:
This project focuses on advancing our understanding of the human enteric nervous system (ENS), specifically the myenteric plexus, which plays a crucial role in regulating gastrointestinal motility. The ENS is often compared to an external hard disk controlling gastrointestinal functions and operating autonomously from the brain. Our literature research emphasizes the need for human-specific data, due to limitations in extrapolating findings from animal models to humans, as demonstrated by species-specific differences in neurotransmitter effects and signalling pathways.
The present study proposes comprehensive research methods involving human intestinal (colonic) tissue sampling and preparation, neuroimaging with voltage and calcium-sensitive dyes, in vitro motility experiments in organ bath, and immunohistochemistry. Our aim is to bridge the gap in knowledge regarding the functional properties and connectivity of human myenteric neurons. The experimental design involves investigating neuronal activation, neurotransmitter responses, and synaptic communication within the human colonic myenteric plexus. Additionally, the study aims to characterize and identify mechanosensitive enteric neurons, to perform immunohistochemistry for phenotypic analysis, and to study spontaneous and nerve-mediated intestinal motility and its pharmacology. The project also aims to explore the influence of extrinsic afferents on intestinal motility. Furthermore, the project plans to assess the impact of patient characteristics especially in relation to age, sex, and body mass index on the neuronal count and motility data.
In summary, the research project strives to provide a comprehensive understanding of the human colonic myenteric plexus, contributing valuable insights into the pathophysiology of functional gastrointestinal disorders and potentially paving the way for targeted therapeutic interventions.

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, 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: 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

Funding: DFG, 45.000 EUR

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

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

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).

Funding: Niedersächsisches Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kultur, 449.000 EUR

Project Details:
In the "zukunft.niedersachsen"" program, Cluster 2 ""Digital Teaching Hub Lower Saxony"" was funded in the funding line Hochschule.digital Niedersachsen: Pillar B - Studies and Teaching. The TiHo is involved in two sub-projects in this cluster. These are the sub-project ""Cooperation of services in the field of digital teaching (Media didactics)"" and ""AI in studies, teaching and examinations""."

Cooperation Partners:

Technische Universität Braunschweig

Hochschule für Bildende Künste Braunschweig

Ostfalia Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften

Technische Universität Clausthal

Hochschule Emden/Leer

Georg-August-Universität Göttingen

Leibniz Universität Hannover

Medizinische Hochschule Hannover

Universitätsmedizin Göttingen

Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover

Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover

Hochschule Hannover

Stiftung Universität Hildesheim

HAWK Hildesheim/Holzminden/Göttingen

Leuphana Universität Lüneburg

Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg

Universität Osnabrück

Hochschule Osnabrück

Universität Vechta

Jade Hochschule Wilhelmshaven/Oldenburg/Elsfleth