Research

Funding: DFG, 240.000 EUR

Project Details:
Wild animals can serve as reservoir for causative agents of important livestock diseases including African and Classical swine fever, Foot and mouth disease, Bluetongue as well as for zoonotic viruses like SARS coronaviruses, Rabies virus, and Hepatitis E virus. In recent years, a growing number of emerging viruses were identified in domestic and wild animals. These include novel bunyaviruses, reoviruses, astroviruses, birnaviruses, circoviruses and parvoviruses from wild boar detected during the first funding period of VIPER. Another example is the identification of pestiviruses from non-ungulate hosts including rodents, bats, pangolin, and a whale. Further characterization of these newly identified viruses, including studies on viral replication, innate immune responses and other virus-host interactions, depends on successful virus isolation and propagation in tissue culture cells. Preliminary work revealed that the whale pestivirus can efficiently infect swine kidney cells and viral antigen is detectable by a monoclonal antibody. However, for several other viruses virus isolation was not successful. The recent establishment of airway and intestinal epithelial cells organoid cultures from pigs and cattle at our institute can be very useful for isolation and subsequent characterization of selected novel viruses. It is expected that the results of this project will enhance our understanding of viral evolution, origin, cross species transmission and virus-host interactions of human and animal viruses, and thus improve outbreak preparedness and infectious disease control.

Results:

https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/1/107

Funding: Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung, 51.831 EUR

Project Details:
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global challenge worldwide, and generally results from consumption of antimicrobials. Antimicrobial use (AMU) in animal production is part of these processes and has been recognized as a source of global burden of AMR. Surveillance of veterinary AMU and AMR and its reduction is one of the strategic objectives of many regional and global initiatives on antimicrobial resistance crisis. Since, the resistance to critically important antimicrobials like colistin, particularly due to mobile colistin resistance gene (mcr-1), has already been reported in Pakistan from commercial broilers, wild birds and human. Therefore, data on antimicrobial usage and its association with resistance should be prioritized in food animals. Although Pakistan?s National Action Plan on AMR urged to monitor and reduce antimicrobials use and resistance in animals, little effort has been done to curb AMR in food animals. The objective of this project is to quantify AMU in commercial broiler farms in Pakistan and its association with the emergence of AMR in commensal E. coli isolates from broilers. The proposed study will fill the important knowledge gap on the AMU of critical importance antimicrobials in broilers farming, phenotypic antibiotic resistance and genomic characteristics of multidrug resistant E. coli using next generation sequencing approach. The association between AMU and AMR will be determined using statistical approaches. Our work will be an important contribution toward understanding the interplay between AMU and AMR at farms-level in Pakistan and other low- and middle-income countries with comparable farming practices.
This project comes under One-Health remit on antimicrobial resistance and aligns perfectly with the work at University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, Hannover which has been also designated as the WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Training for Health at the Human-Animal-Environment Interface.

Results:

Umair M, Mohsin M, Sönksen UW, Walsh TR, Kreienbrock L, Laxminarayan R. Meas-uring Antimicrobial Use Needs Global Harmonization. Glob Chall. 2021 Jun 10;5(10):2100017. doi: 10.1002/gch2.202100017.

 

Mohsin M, Farooq U, Hartmann M, Brogden S, Kreienbrock L, Stoffregen J. Case Study: Using a Shared International Database to Document Veterinary Consumption of Antibiotics in Pakistan. Antibiotics (Basel). 2023 Feb 15;12(2):394. doi: 10.3390/antibiotics12020394.

Cooperation Partners:

Institute of Microbiology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan

Funding: MWK über Universität Göttingen, 29.423 EUR

Project Details:
Schwere COVID-19-Krankheitsfälle sind durch das Auftreten einer schweren Lungenentzündung charakterisiert, die häufig einen Krankenhausaufenthalt erfordern. Bis zu einem Drittel der hospitalisierten Patienten entwickeln kritische Komplikationen, wie einen diffusen Alveolarschaden, welcher zum akuten Atemnotsyndroms (ARDS) führt. Ein detailliertes Verständnis der komplexen Pathogenese und der daraus resultierenden Krankheitskomplikationen ist dringend erforderlich, um wirksame Behandlungsstrategien für die SARS-CoV-2-Infektion zu entwickeln. Mehrere erfolgreiche Präventionsstrategien wie Impfstoffe wurden entwickelt und für ihre Anwendung beim Menschen zugelassen. Wir sind jedoch noch weit von einer Eindämmung der Krankheit entfernt und könnten mit dem vermehrten Auftreten von Virusvarianten vor zusätzlichen Herausforderungen stehen. Zwar ist bereits viel über die Pathogenese und Behandlung der akuten COVID-19 Erkrankung bekannt, jedoch wissen wir immer noch sehr wenig über die potentiellen Langzeitfolgen. Es wird immer deutlicher, dass eine protrahierte Genesung ein häufiges Merkmal COVID-19 ist, ein Phänomen, das allgemein als "Long-COVID"" oder Post-COVID-Syndrom bezeichnet wird. 30-60% der Personen leiden nach der Genesung von einer akuten Virusinfektion an anhaltenden Symptomen wie Müdigkeit, Kurzatmigkeit und verringerter Belastbarkeit. Dieses Projekt soll dazu beitragen, die Mechanismen von ""Long-COVID"" besser zu verstehen und daraus neue Behandlungsstrategien abzuleiten. "

Funding: MWK über Universität Göttingen, 24.805 EUR

Project Details:
Die Zusammensetzung und Reaktivität des lungenspezifischen Immunsystems wird durch verschiedene Mechanismen gesteuert. Wichtig ist hierbei insbesondere die körpereigene, genetische Disposition des Individuums. Genetische Varianten sind wichtige Determinanten der kindlichen Asthma- und Virusinfektionsanfälligkeit . Aber auch äußere Faktoren wie Infektionen, Rauchen oder Umweltgifte können das Immunsystem des Lungengewebes prägen. Neuste Studien zeigen, dass auch dem Lungenmikrobiom eine bedeutende Rolle bei der Regulierung und Aktivität des Lungenimmunsystems zukommt. Das Lungenmikrobiom wurde spät entdeckt, da man lange Zeit davon ausging, dass die Lunge eine pathogenfreie, sterile Umgebung darstellt. In diesem Projekt soll der Einfluss der Lungemikrobioms auf die Schwere einer SARS-CoV-2 Infektion untersucht werden.

Project Details:
A vocal repertoire contains a species-specific list of vocalizations, which are produced by the animals. These lists build the methodological and theoretical basis for a number of research questions of different disciplines. Nevertheless, there is no consensus how to establish a vocal repertoire or how to define call types. In the majority of studies, call types were established by visual classification, using spectrograms, which was supported by statistical analysis based on the measured acoustic features of a vocalization. In recent publications, more objective mathematically approaches such as supervised or unsupervised clustering algorithm were established. However, also these algorithm often require a pre-screening of the observer either because a number of expected clusters has to be determined or by the fact that the clustering result has to be proofed for their biological plausibility. Both methods can lead to an overestimation of call types especially in species with very variable vocalizations or graded call types. Thus, an acoustic variation alone is not sufficient to reflect a behavioural relevance. This also requires a context-specificity and the ability of the brain to perceive and process the acoustic variation. In this project, we aim to establish the vocal repertoires by combining the mathematical classification of the vocalizations with the behavioural contexts in which the calls were produced as well as the physical hearing abilities (e.g., hearing range, time- and frequency resolution) of the given species. We use this approach for two small-bodied mammalian species: the Mongolian gerbil, an important animal model for human hearing, and the Etruscan shrew, suggested to be a promising model for hearing in basal mammals due to its small eardrum, basal ossicles, and simple and thin cortex.

Results:

Langehennig-Peristenidou A, Felmy F, Scheumann M (2024). Graded calls of the smallest terrestrial mammal, the Etruscan shrew, living in a closed habitat. iScience, 27(12), 111297. DOI:10.1016/j.isci.2024.111297

 

Silberstein Y, Büntge J, Felmy F, Scheumann M (2024). Context or arousal? Function of drumming in Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). Frontiers in Zoology, 21(1), 22. DOI:10.1186/s12983-024-00542-2

 

Silberstein Y, Felmy F, Scheumann M (2023). Encoding of arousal and physical characteristics in audible and ultrasonic vocalizations of Mongolian gerbil pups testing common rules for mammals. Animals (Basel), 13(16), 2553. DOI:10.3390/ani13162553

Cooperation Partners:

Prof. Dr. A. Kral, VIANNA, Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde

Dr. Wiebke Konerding, VIANNA, Klinik und Poliklinik für Hals-, Nasen- und Ohrenheilkunde

Funding: DFG-Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, 210.700 EUR

Project Details:
Marine mammals are infected by a variety of endo- and ectoparasites which face multiple challenges when having to attach to their host. Arthropod parasites of marine mammals have developed specialized anatomical adaptations, to secure their hold on aquatic hosts, and sophisticated strategies, to enable transmission between vagile pelagic and amphibious wildlife. We have chosen three arthropod species that have adapted differently to their marine hosts: seal lice, as hematophagous insects of terrestrial origin and whale lice, as amphipod crustaceans of marine origin, as well as respiratory mites from the airways of seals. All three species have motile larvae that are transmitted during bodily contact of host individuals. Their exoskeleton has evolved by adapting materials and design to survive on gregarious and diving marine mammals. Little is known about biology of marine mammal arthropod parasites, but even less about physical aspects of their life in this challenging environment. Novel approaches are required to provide more insight in structural design and mechanical properties and knowledge on physical principles of their attachment and locomotion. State of the art instrumentation, such as micro-CT, confocal laser scanning microscopy and Cryo-SEM will provide basic knowledge on morphological adaptations of parasites that enable their attachment to hosts during dives, haul-out and how they endure currents and social interactions. The locomotive abilities of the different life cycle stages on various surfaces and developed features of insect, crustacean and arachnid species are compared to understand functional morphology of their locomotory system. Parasites reduce the fitness of their host most obviously at the interface between parasite and host. Whale lice impede healing processes of skin wounds and seal lice are vectors for filarial and viral diseases. We will investigate the host-parasite interface using histopathology of infected tissues to define the structural damage to host tissues. Friction and adhesion forces maintained by the different parasite species are investigated by custom made microforce testing devices. The envisaged project will provide knowledge on relationships between structure, material properties and attachment performance of attachment devices in selected arthropod parasite species. Data on their locomotion and recruitment dynamics will be studied for the first time and the results will provide new avenues for development of biologically-inspired surfaces and systems specialized for enhancement or reduction of frictional or adhesive forces. New data on the properties of attachment devices in different ontogenetic stages and their role in the life cycle can potentially reveal interesting veterinary aspects.

Results:

Dissertation: Prevalence, adaptation and impact of arthropod parasites on seals in the German North and Baltic Sea

https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:gbv:95-121230

Funding: DFG, 255.550 EUR

Project Details:
Bovine Viral Diarrhea/ Mucosal Disease (BVD/ MD) is an economically important notifiable disease of cattle. The causative agent, BVD virus (BVDV), is a plus strand RNA virus of the family Flaviviridae, genus Pestivirus. BVDV is known to enter oronasally and through the respiratory tract, from where it spreads to various organs and tissues. The initial stage of infection is poorly understood. In the context of preliminary work it was shown that non-differentiated polarized respiratory epithelial cells are highly susceptible to apical and basolateral infection with BVDV, but virus release occurs only via the apical side of the cells. Thus, it remains unknown how pestiviruses cross the barrier of the airway epithelium. However, it is well established that BVDV and other pestiviruses have a strong tropism for immune cells. Therefore, an important goal of this project is to explore the pathway by which BVDV crosses the barrier of the respiratory epithelium and spreads from there to immune cells.
In the first part of the project, the infection of airway epithelial cells (tracheal/bronchial epithelial cells) will be investigated. Two cell culture systems established at the Institute of Virology are available for the analysis of end-differentiated cells: Air-liquid-interface (ALI) cultures and precision lung slices (PCLS). Subsequently, cells that have not yet completed differentiation or cells that are in the regeneration phase after epithelial injury will be examined. Finally, we will analyze whether BVDV can overcome the epithelial barrier in a paracellular manner by exploiting leaky junctions between cells. To find out whether the different infection characteristics in the different culture systems and under the various infection conditions depending on the degree of differentiation can be correlated or explained with the presence of the cellular receptor, the expression of the receptor for BVDV, CD46, will be analyzed. For the detection of CD46 a monoclonal antibody is available, which was produced at the Institute of Virology. Another focus will be studies on the infection of macrophages. Co-cultures of macrophages and airway epithelial cells will be established to find out whether macrophage infection can be used to overcome the epithelial barrier.
Other interesting perspectives for future projects include the role of cellular innate immunity for respiratory epithelial infection with BVDV, and viral-viral or viral-bacterial co-infections.

Funding: EU, 215.581 EUR

Project Details:
The project is carried out at DIL e.V., Quakenbrück.
The DIL leads the work package that focuses on optimising and up-scaling ultrasound (US). Firstly, an extensive literature review on microbial decontamination by US in food and model systems was conducted. It was found that manothermosonication (MTS), a technology that combines mild thermal treatment, elevated pressure, and sonication, is the most promising approach and a potential alternative to traditional thermal pasteurisation of liquid whole egg. Consequently, the DIL developed an MTS prototype that can be used for experimental work with Salmonella Enteritidis. The results showed that MTS can provide the same level of food safety as conventional pasteurisation but with a lower thermal load, suggesting potential food quality benefits confirmed by work on physico-chemical, functional, and protein properties. In addition, sustainability studies using the life cycle analysis (LCA) methodology revealed a lower energy demand in MTS pasteurisation. As a final part of the project, a computational fluid dynamics simulation will be performed to design industrial MTS treatments for continuous application.

Cooperation Partners:

External cooperation partners:

Wageningen University, L-Università ta' Malta,

University of Reading,

Elea Vertriebs- und Vermarktungsgesellschaft mbH,

Leibniz Institut für Plasmaforschung und Technologie e.V.,

Sociedade de Estudos de Analise Sensorial a Produtos Alimentares,

Stichting Wageningen Research,

Hyperbaric,

Arla Foods,

Unilever Research and Development Vlaardingen BV,

Koninklijke Euroma BV,

Société des Produits Nestlé S.A.

Funding: BMEL, ERA-NET, 117.043 EUR

Project Details:
The project is carried out on DIL e.V., Quakenbrück.
With CLIMAQUA an innovative process for the conversion and recycling of aquaculture side streams to feed based on A. platensis is created, which in turn can be used in aquaculture. The aim is to significantly reduce the high greenhouse gas emissions from aquaculture, especially for feed production, by integrating A. platensis into biomass / feed production. Geographical and site-specific features (temperature, length of daylight, etc.) are taken into account in order to obtain an almost completely digestible algae-based feed for salmon and catfish farming and thereby establish a circulatory system that is economically and ecologically sound. In addition, CLIMAQUA examines climate change-related aspects of aquaculture in two regions of the world: The use of innovative technologies in aquaculture is adapted to the climatic conditions and promotes the implementation of sustainable and local food systems.

Project Details:
In this 5-year monitoring-study the density, diversity and community structure of Collembola and Mesostigmata of three different biotope types (oak-hornbeam-mixed forest, drainage ditch (edge), wet meadow) are investigated in the nature reserve Riddagshausen, a Flora-Fauna-Habitat (FFH) area characterized by a small scale mosaic of different habitat types like ponds, meadows, farmland and mixed forests. In each of the biotope types 10 sampling points spaced at least 20 m apart from each other were selected at random. Large spacing was done to avoid spatial autocorrelation, samples therefore were assumed to be independent.
Starting in March 2021 ten soil cores (diameter 5 cm) were taken at each of the biotope types (one soil core per sampling point). The cores were subdivided into two horizons (litter layer, 5 cm mineral soil). The soil cores were used to extract Collembola, Gamasida and soil macrofauna using a modified high gradient canister method (Macfadyen, 1961; Schauermann, 1982). Collembola and Mesostigmata were determined to species level.
Moreover, Collembola species were aggregated into three different functional groups according to their vertical distribution (epedaphic, hemiedaphic, and euedaphic). These groups differ in their dispersal ability and other attributes such reproduction, mobility, metabolic activity and feeding behaviour.
This sampling and identification pattern will be repeated every year (2021-2025) in early spring (March/April).
We expect changes in the soil fauna communities of the investigated biotope types due to strong differences in the amount of precipitation between the years.

Cooperation Partners:

1) Prof. Stefan Scheu, J.F. Blumenbach Institute of Zoology and Anthropology, University of Goettingen

2) Dr. Bernhard Klarner