Research

Funding: Bundesinstitut für Risikobewertung, Berlin, 413.140 EUR

Project Details:
The project VetAmUR (Veterinary Antimicrobial Usage and Resistance) is a research project that, following the VetCab-S project, is carried out to describe the use of antimicrobials in farm animals in Germany as well as connect this with resistance data for those antimicrobials.

Background: Despite many independent investigations, no direct link between the information on antimicrobial usage and antimicrobial resistance could be estab-lished in German livestock husbandry so far. Therefore, an extensive and detailed risk assessment in regards to antimicrobial resistance is not possible, even though such an assessment is required on an international basis (Global Antimicrobial Re-sistance Surveillance System - GLASS, https://www.who.int/glass/en/). To accom-modate this demand, the VetAmUR project was initiated.

In the area of resistance data, the focus is on collecting data at farm level and de-scribing its heterogeneity with the aim of creating a standardised documentation template.

Additionally, specific periods within the fattening process and specific indications for antimicrobial administrations are documented and observed closely to deter-mine alternative treatments and prevention strategies.

Results:

Bonzelett C, Rehberg B, Winkelmann TS, Käsbohrer A, Kreienbrock L. Documentati-on of antimicrobial resistance data in veterinary practices in Germany. Berliner und Münchener Tierärztliche Wochenschrift. 2024;137:1-13 . doi: 10.2376/1439-0299-2023-14

Funding: Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft, 224.100 EUR

Project Details:
The aim of the project is to transfer an innovative concept for cold-storage of liquid preserved boar semen into practise. This enables the reduction of antibiotics in the preservation medium and additionally, the optimization of the transport logistics of the semen portions from semen collection centers to the sow farms. The environmental impact resulting from antibiotic use is reduced and possibilities for efficient use of boar semen are tested in practice. Thus, the CoolSperm project particularly promotes sustainability and efficiency in future-oriented pig breeding.

Results:

doi: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2025.01.025

doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0305280

doi: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2024.107486

doi: 10.3390/antibiotics12050857

10.1016/j.anireprosci.2024.107486

Cooperation Partners:

Institut für Fortpflanzung landwirtschaftlicher Nutztiere

Förderverein Bioökonomieforschung (FBF e.V.)

Genossenschaft zur Förderung der Schweinehaltung eG (GFS)

Minitüb GmbH

Funding: Bundesministerium für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung, Bundesprogramm Nutztierhaltung, 305.117 EUR

Project Details:
The goal of this project is to reduce the environmental pollution caused by the entry of antibiotics and resistant bacteria from pig breeding. Worldwide, antibiotics are added to liquid preserved semen portions in order to inhibit bacterial growth during semen storage.The present study aims to establish an innovative concept to eliminate bacteria without using conventional antibiotics. The concept is based on the photodynamic inactivation (PDI) of bacteria. Specifically, the aim is to inactivate microorganisms in boar semen using the photodynamic effect and, thus, to avoid bacterial growth and
exchange of resistance genes in the environment.

Results:

DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1429749

Cooperation Partners:

Humboldt Universität zu Berlin

Minitüb GmbH

Funding: Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung, 128.383 EUR

Project Details:
In this project, the focus is on analysing the interrelationships between animal welfare and environmental protection in dairy farming. The aim of the project is to consider the three factors "low emissions, high walking comfort and long-lived cows" in a three-year study phase in the Chamber of Agriculture's trial barn at Haus Riswick.

Cooperation Partners:

- Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn, Institut für Landtechnik

- Landwirtschaftskammer Nordrhein-Westfalen, Haus Riswick

Funding: EU, 1.234.225 EUR

Project Details:
Bewertung von rational konzipierten Influenza-Impfstoffen

Funding: EU Kommission (imi), 337.500 EUR

Project Details:
The objective of WP3 is to combine the broad expertise of consortium partners in drug discovery in order to identify small molecule candidate drugs to fight coronaviruses.
To effectively deliver drug candidates, WP3 is interacting closely with WP1 and WP2 to identify and select potential starting points for further development based on clearly defined progression criteria. A screening cascade for (phenotypic) hit ID has been implemented and executed. In addition, a coordinated AI-platform and analysis of targets for their druggability is being finalized to facilitate the selection of potential starting points for chemistry. The medicinal chemistry efforts have not yet been initiated as the review and selection of potential starting points from the first wave of hit identification is still ongoing.
In addition to the Hit selection criteria to move forward into Hit to Lead (H2L), WP3 contributors have already prepared for the next steps by defining the initial progression criteria for hits, leads and optimized lead compounds. In addition, a screening cascade for H2L and lead optimization (LO) is proposed, including the flow for the ADMET-PK related assays. The aim is to work towards the predefined target product profiles (TPPs) which have also been discussed within WP3 and are close to finalisation.

Funding: DFG, 466.350 EUR

Project Details:
The objective of this research work is to evaluate the genetic architecture of body size using a pig model in a multi-omics approach. It particularly aims at in-depth investigations of interrelations of size determining variants, transcriptional variation among miniature and large size as well as the identification of topologically associated domains (TADs) and putative enhancers involved in body size determination. This study is particularly focusing on the elucidation of the regulatory landscape in pigs and its essential role in the determination of body size.Initial analyses of whole genome sequencing data of miniature versus standard sized breeds/populations are supposed to identify potential signatures of selection reflecting high selection pressures in both directions- miniature and large size- harboring variants causative for the miniaturization across-breeds. Subsequently, I aim at detecting chromatin interactions defined as TADs and putative enhancer elements in the region of these variants involved in size-determination by targeting high intensity peaks of chromatin interactions from Hi-C analysis as well as high histone modification levels associated with active enhancers (H3K27ac and H3K4me1) from ChIP-seq in the growth plates of the long bones. These marks of active DNA sequences will then be linked to transcriptional variation in-between miniature and large pigs. An in vitro model will be established for further functional validation.This will be the first study investigating genomic and functional effects on body size specifically targeting growth plates in pigs. Based on these data, we aim at increasing the knowledge of biological processes in mammals regulating growth and determining the size of a body. This profound understanding of body size development will not only be of high importance for livestock breeding but will also provide better understanding of growth biology, developmental genetics and disturbances in growth processes.

Results:

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12864-022-08801-4

Cooperation Partners:

Prof. Stefan Mundlos, Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Genetik, Berlin

Funding: F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, 236.600 EUR

Project Details:
exploratory research project

Funding: Gesellschaft der Freunde der Tierärztlichen Hochschule Hannover e.V. (GdF), 15.600 EUR

Project Details:
Growing evidence indicates that exercise has the potential to reduce components of Parkinson's disease (PD)-related pathology. PD progression starts early before onset of the cardinal motor signs and subtle motor and non-motor dysfunctions are evident even in the early prodromal stage before clinical disease diagnosis (Berg et al. 2021 Nat Rev Neurol). We therefore examine whether and to which degree exercise affects disease pathology and progression in young mice that overexpress human wildtype alpha-synuclein under the Thy-1 promotor (Thy1-aSyn mice) and replicate PD hallmarks by developing, among others, robust fine motor deficits at two months of age (Chesselet, Richter et al. 2012 Neurotherapeutics). We hypothesize that early intervention by exercise has a disease-modifying effect during prodromal phase in Thy1-aSyn mice and can be applied as a non-pharmacological preventive strategy for early-stage PD (Schäffer et al. 2020 Neurology). Next, we will administer a substance to the animal model, which shows increased levels under exercise and neuroprotective properties in other neurodegenerative diseases.

Cooperation Partners:

Prof Dr. Daniela Berg (Neurologie, Christian-Albrechts Universität Kiel), Prof. Dr. Christiane Wrann (Harvard Medical School)

Funding: DFG (Heisenberg), 256.200 EUR

Project Details:
The objective of this research work is to evaluate the genetic architecture of body size using a pig model in a multi-omics approach. It particularly aims at in-depth investigations of interrelations of size determining variants, transcriptional variation among miniature and large size as well as the identification of topologically associated domains (TADs) and putative enhancers involved in body size determination. This study is particularly focusing on the elucidation of the regulatory landscape in pigs and its essential role in the determination of body size.Initial analyses of whole genome sequencing data of miniature versus standard sized breeds/populations are supposed to identify potential signatures of selection reflecting high selection pressures in both directions- miniature and large size- harboring variants causative for the miniaturization across-breeds. Subsequently, I aim at detecting chromatin interactions defined as TADs and putative enhancer elements in the region of these variants involved in size-determination by targeting high intensity peaks of chromatin interactions from Hi-C analysis as well as high histone modification levels associated with active enhancers (H3K27ac and H3K4me1) from ChIP-seq in the growth plates of the long bones. These marks of active DNA sequences will then be linked to transcriptional variation in-between miniature and large pigs. An in vitro model will be established for further functional validation.This will be the first study investigating genomic and functional effects on body size specifically targeting growth plates in pigs. Based on these data, we aim at increasing the knowledge of biological processes in mammals regulating growth and determining the size of a body. This profound understanding of body size development will not only be of high importance for livestock breeding but will also provide better understanding of growth biology, developmental genetics and disturbances in growth processes.

Results:

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12864-022-08801-4

Cooperation Partners:

Prof. Dr. Stefan Mundlos, Max-Planck-Institut für Molekulare Genetik, Berlin