Research

Project Details:
Nanotechnology is a fast-moving area that finds applications in such diverse areas as material science, electronic engineering, consumer goods production, medicine, and agriculture. A recent innovation in the field is the use of plant extracts in nanoparticle synthesis. Due to the involvement of auxiliar natural substances, this so called "green nanotechnology" aims for environmentally beneficial and more biocompatible nanoparticles free from hazardous substances. Copper nanoparticles (CuNPs), synthesized using green methods, have been particularly noted for their potent insecticidal activity. On the other hand, there is a growing public awareness about the toxic potential for humans associated with nanoparticles applied to the environment. The small size of nanoparticles poses the risk of permeating the protective blood brain barrier into the nervous system, even by inhalation through the nose. The nervous system, and in particular the developing central nervous system is more sensitive to damage than other organs. Whereas developmental neurotoxicological testing usually employs large numbers of mammalian experimental animals, basic mechanisms can be studied in cell culture, or insect embryonic tissue culture.
The purpose of the project is the development of a joint multidisciplinary approach to study potential adverse effects of green-engineered nanoparticles on the developing nervous system. On the biological side, using neuronal precursor cells and/or embryonic insect nervous tissue, the effect of nanoparticles can be tested on neurotoxicological endpoints such as cell differentiation, neurotransmitter content, cell migration, neurite outgrowth, and growth cone navigation. On the material science side, modification of the production process enables to test effects influenced by nanoparticle size, biochemical modification, or effectivity of uptake.
The objective of this collaboration is to define a specific project in which the strengths of both partners, development of green-engineered nanoparticles in South Africa, and developmental neurotoxicology in Germany, are combined to gain deeper knowledge about the interaction of these new materials with living cells, connecting the distinct fields of human and environmental nanotoxicology.

Results:

Stern M, Botha N, Cloete KJ, Maaza M, Tan S, Bicker G (2024) Neurotoxicity and developmental neurotoxicity of copper sulfide nanoparticles on a human neuronal in vitro test system. Int J Mol Sci 25 (11): 5650. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25115650

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25115650

Cooperation Partners:

Dr. Karen Jacqueline Cloete, University of South Africa/iThemba Laboratory for Accelerator Based Sciences - National Research Foundation: Somerset West, Western Cape, South Africa

Funding: European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) , 275.552 EUR

Project Details:
Incidental bycatch represents a significant threat to marine species worldwide, particularly for Endangered, Threatened and Protected (ETP) species, which include marine mammals, birds, turtles and elasmobranchs. To date, efforts to minimize the bycatch of ETPs have had limited success. LIFE CIBBRiNA is a cross-border and cross-sectoral project in which research institutions, environmental authorities, fishing industry and non-governmental organizations from 13 European countries collaborate to reduce the incidental bycatch in fisheries that have a high risk of bycatch of ETPs in the North Sea, Baltic Sea, and Mediterranean Sea. The objective is to develop new bycatch mitigation methods and to promote their implementation. As part of LIFE CIBBRiNA, the ITAW will develop tools for monitoring and collection of bycatch data. The incidence of bycatch will be assessed through pathological investigations of casualty animals. Carcass drifting models will allow the identification of bycatch hotspots, and a database will be developed to collate strandings data and to enable a temporospatial analysis of the information. Furthermore, the ITAW is engaged in the dissemination of project outcomes to relevant stakeholders (including the development of research boxes as didactic material for schools), networking with other projects and publishing the scientific results of LIFE CIBBRiNA.

Funding: Nds. Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kultur über Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, 1.811.726 EUR

Project Details:
This initial project within the ZERN research and transfer network is dealing with the future-oriented keeping and use of fattening pigs. There are deficits in current fattening pig husbandry, particularly in the areas of animal welfare, emissions and nutrient efficiency. This project has therefore set the objective of scientifically evaluating relevant aspects of sustainable pork production synergistically and gaining new, practice-relevant knowledge.

Cooperation Partners:

Georg-August-Universität Göttingen

Deutsches Institut für Lebensmitteltechnik (DIL)

Funding: Nds. Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kultur über Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, 1.496.374 EUR

Project Details:
ZERN is a research network of the University of Göttingen, the University of Veterinary Medicine Hanover and the German Institute of Food Technologies in Quakenbrück, which aims to support the transformation of the agricultural and food system in Lower Saxony, which is under increasing pressure to adapt. Aspects such as animal welfare and sustainability must be given greater consideration in agricultural production in the future. The findings from the research network should enable the sustainable production, processing and marketing of food.

Cooperation Partners:

Georg-August-Universität Göttingen

Deutsches Institut für Lebensmitteltechnik (DIL)

Project Details:
Stable and consistent individual behavioral variations in animals that are generally regarded as an expression of animal personalities, and might be important drivers of ecological specialization and the evolutionary adaptive potential of species. We aim to investigate various proximate factors driving individual variations in risk-taking behavior of the grey mouse lemur (Microcebus murinus) as well as their relationship and explanatory value for physical cognitive performance. In the wild, this species lives under a very high predation pressure and risk taking decisions must therefore be taken on a daily basis and should be an important key to survival. We will study captive grey mouse lemurs with a longitudinal approach to investigate systematically the individual behavioral dynamics across time and different risk contexts. In a second step, personality differences will then be compared with the results from a test battery in the physical cognitive domain. Our findings will contribute to a better understanding of risk taking as one facet of animal personality in one of the world’s smallest primates.

Results:

Splinter, F.; Fichtel, C.; Radespiel, U. (2025): Wild and captive Grey Mouse Lemurs (Microcebus murinus) differ in cognitive performance. Int. J. Prim., 46, 644-663. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10764-025-00490-6

Funding: Drittmittelprojekt: Anschubfinanzierung MWK, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft DFG beantragt. , 3.000 EUR

Project Details:
Forschung und Zielsetzung

Die deutsche Nordseeküste als Teil des "UNESCO Weltnaturerbe Wattenmeer" ist ein weltweit einmaliger mariner Lebensraum mit einer bisher weitgehend unbekannten Biodiversität. Aufgrund seiner besonderen Eigenschaften (z.B. hinsichtlich Gezeiten und klimatischen Bedingungen) stellt dieser Lebensraum eine besondere Herausforderung für eine Vielzahl von Organismen dar und die besonderen und diversen ökologischen Nischen im Bereich der deutschen Nordseeküste versprechen das Vorkommen von endemischen Arten und vielen bisher noch unbeschriebenen Organismengruppen. Dieser einmalige Lebensraum ist jedoch permanent durch anthropogene Einflüsse bedroht, und speziell die Auswirkungen der globalen Erderwärmung und der zunehmenden Versauerung der Meere stellen eine existenzielle Bedrohung für viele marine Organismen dar.
Dies ist weltweit das erste Mal, dass ein bedeutender Lebensraum über 25 Jahre in Folge kontinuierlich, umfassend und vergleichend quantitativ in seiner Biodiversitätsdynamik beschrieben wird und zwar in Bezug auf ein Vierteljahrhundert globaler Veränderungen.
Wir schaffen Daten statt Spekulationen.

Arbeitsmethoden
Field work, Envrironmental Genomics, Metagenomics, Bioinformatics

Cooperation Partners:

Dr Helen Spence-Jones (she/her)

Postdoctoral Researcher

Coastal Ecology/Ökologie der Küsten

Alfred-Wegener-Institut

Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research

Wadden Sea Station

25992 List auf Sylt, Deutschland

Dr. Michael Tessler

AMNH New York

Funding: Förderverein Bioökonomieforschung (FBF e.V.), 44.000 EUR

Project Details:
With the ongoing development of antibiotic‑free preservation methods for boar semen, the question arises whether these are also effective against leptospires. It should be noted that, to date, the efficacy of conventional antibiotics against leptospires in preserved semen has not been demonstrated in the available literature. The reason for this is that leptospires require special and prolonged cultivation methods.
Using the newly established assay, the growth of leptospires in long‑term preserved boar semen will be investigated. In particular, the influence of gentamicin and storage temperature will be assessed. Ultimately, the efficacy and necessity of antibiotics against leptospires will be evaluated.

Cooperation Partners:

IVD Gesellschaft für Innovative Veterinärdiagnostik mbH

Funding: Fritz-Ahrberg-Stiftung, 100.000 EUR

Project Details:
For meat processing companies, preventing Listeria spp. from entering the food chain remains a major challenge. The species Listeria (L.) monocytogenes in particular has a high pathogenic potential and is considered the main cause of listeriosis. While immunocompetent individuals are less likely to become infected and often develop no or only mild gastrointestinal symptoms after exposure to the pathogen, vulnerable groups, including newborns, the elderly, and people with pre-existing conditions, often become seriously ill. The disease may initially be accompanied by flu-like symptoms and manifest itself in various organs as a result of septicemic progression. This primarily leads to pathogen colonization in the brain (neurolisteriosis) or in the placenta (neonatal listeriosis) with corresponding pathological manifestations such as purulent meningoencephalitis, abortions, or neonatal sepsis. Depending on the individual constitution of the affected patients, the virulence of the strain, and the dose of pathogen ingested, infection with L. monocytogenes can therefore be associated with a high mortality rate. The microbial properties of Listeria spp. cause considerable difficulties in cleaning and disinfection, particularly for meat processing companies. These pathogens are largely undemanding, Gram-positive rod-shaped bacteria that can survive even in nutrient-poor substrates. Although the optimal ambient temperature for bacterial growth is 30 °C, Listeria spp. can multiply at regular refrigeration temperatures due to their psychrotolerant properties. In connection with operational controls, they are therefore often isolated from drains, gullies, or puddles of water. Such niches are often not given sufficient attention in the cleaning and disinfection measures commonly used, with the result that Listeria spp. can repeatedly enter the food chain from these sources. In many cases, the lack of decontamination success can be attributed to existing biofilms, which partially or completely prevent the chemicals used from being effective. If Listeria enter the final product, their facultative anaerobic metabolism enables them to survive storage periods in vacuum or protective gas packaging. Furthermore, pathogen proliferation cannot be ruled out unless it is prevented by certain key parameters such as temperature, pH value, or aw value of the product. Against this background, meat products that are consumed raw, such as Thüringer Mett or raw sausage, should be classified as high-risk foods and avoided by vulnerable groups. In the past, there have been isolated cases of death in connection with foodborne listeriosis, which have attracted considerable media attention. Furthermore, confirmed contamination with L. monocytogenes is always accompanied by product recalls or public recall campaigns. The economic damage caused by unsaleable goods, possible business interruptions, and the loss of reputation of the companies involved can be considerable. Effective strategies for targeted internal monitoring and successful cleaning and disinfection are therefore crucial for all food businesses in order to prevent Listeria spp. from entering the food chain. For this reason, the planned project aims to establish various decontamination strategies based on UV-C irradiation and the use of bacteriocins with bacteriophage depolymerases using a biofilm model, and to verify their effectiveness using a newly developed quantitative (q)PCR assay adapted for the detection of Listeria spp. in biofilms. Compared to standard cultural methods for the detection of Listeria spp., qPCR offers a considerable time advantage and can detect existing pathogens without pre-enrichment of the material to be examined, including sample preparation, within approximately 2 hours. As part of the planned project, the results of the qPCR and the measured decontamination success will be verified using an accompanying standard culture analysis. The aim of the investigations is to develop practical alternatives to conventional decontamination and to create a reliable measuring instrument for monitoring decontamination success and operational hygiene regarding Listeria spp.

Funding: Fritz-Ahrberg Stiftung, 25.000 EUR

Project Details:
The production of gluten-free sausages poses major challenges with respect to texture, flavor, and nutritional value when compared to their gluten-containing counterparts. In conventional formulations, gluten acts as a key binding agent, providing structure, elasticity, and overall product integrity. In gluten-free products, however, alternative binding systems are required. Commonly used starch-based fillers (e.g., corn starch or rice flour) often result in a sticky or brittle texture, altered flavor profiles, and suboptimal protein digestibility. Consequently, gluten-free sausages frequently exhibit poor mouthfeel, reduced juiciness, and lower protein bioavailability, negatively affecting both consumer acceptance and nutritional quality.
In recent years, the demand for gluten-free foods has increased dramatically. This growth is driven not only by individuals with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity, but also by a broader consumer segment that perceives gluten-free diets as a healthier alternative and therefore prefers such products. This rising demand has prompted food manufacturers to develop innovative gluten-free alternatives to traditional gluten-containing products such as bread, pasta, and processed meat products. However, reproducing the sensory and nutritional properties of gluten-containing foods—particularly sausages—remains a significant challenge. In this context, microbial enzymes can be employed as processing aids or food additives to more closely replicate the functional properties of gluten.
Microbial enzymes, particularly those derived from Bacillus spp., offer substantial advantages over fungal- and plant-based alternatives and are therefore highly suitable for industrial applications. They can be produced rapidly and at large scale via fermentation, ensuring cost efficiency and a stable supply. Moreover, these enzymes are generally highly thermostable, allowing them to remain functional during high-temperature processing steps such as those involved in sausage production. Owing to their cost-effectiveness, stability, and Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status, enzymes derived from Bacillus spp. represent a scalable and sustainable solution for food processing applications.
In this project, thermostable proteases and α-amylases from Bacillus spp. will be applied to address the challenges in gluten-free sausage production. Proteases will be used to hydrolyze meat proteins and to break down complex structures (e.g., collagen) into smaller, more digestible peptides and amino acids. This enzymatic process is expected to enhance texture by increasing tenderness, improve flavor through the release of taste-active amino acids, and increase nutritional value by improving protein bioavailability. Simultaneously, α-amylases will degrade excess starch from starch-based binding agents into simpler sugars, thereby improving the consistency of the sausage matrix and reducing stickiness and brittleness. In addition, the use of these enzymes represents a sustainable approach, as they are biodegradable and environmentally friendly.

Funding: Brigitte und Wolfram Gedek-Stiftung, 25.000 EUR

Project Details:
The research project aims to characterised moulds on various mould-ripened and non-mould-ripened plant-based cheese alternatives immediately after purchase. The plant-based cheese alternatives should then be stored under household conditions. They should be stored in direct contact with mould-ripened cheese on the one hand, but also without direct contact on the other. Here, too, the moulds that have grown are then characterised. In addition, the plant-based cheese alternatives are tested for mycotoxins using ELISA before and after storage.