Research

Funding: Deutsche Forschungsgesellschaft (DFG), 110.700 EUR

Project Details:
Tetraspanins are evolutionary conserved integral membrane proteins of 200-350 amino acid lengths. Through their large extracellular loop they mediate protein - protein and protein - lipid interactions in cellular membranes thereby shaping membrane microdomains called ‘tetraspanin webs’. In humans and mice 33 tetraspanins are described and mosquito species express at least 15 tetraspanin orthologs. In mammalian cells, tetraspanins are host co-factors for several viruses including papillomaviruses, influenza virus, hepatitis C virus, HIV-1 and coronaviruses (Gerold et al., 2015; Bruening et al. 2018; Banse et al., 2018; Alberione et al. 2020; Palor et al., 2020). For hepatitis C virus, colleagues and we showed that the tetraspanin CD81 is a host range determining factor (Vogt et al. 2013; Scull et al., 2015; von Schaewen et al., 2016).
The proposed project aims at characterizing in detail, which of the 33 human tetraspanins in addition to CD81 are host factors for alphaviruses and whether tetraspanins from reservoir species, dead end host species and transmitting mosquito vectors serve as host factors of alphaviruses. Thereby the work will contribute to the understanding of the molecular composition and function of alphavirus replication complexes and determine the role of tetraspanins in species range, transmission and consequently emergence of alphaviruses.

Funding: DFG, 350.510 EUR

Project Details:
In mammals, brain and neuron size enlarges with increasing head size. Inevitably, an increase in neuron size results in an increased membrane capacitance. To achieve size-independent synaptic integration and, thus, the function, neuronal properties like input resistance, dendritic morphology, synaptic conductance as well as the number and location of ion channels and synapses must scale proportionally. A prerequisite to investigate the cellular mechanisms of such a scaling is an evolutionary conserved neuronal population that fulfills the same circuit function independent of head and brain size. The neurons of the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB) fulfill these criteria and are involved in binaural processing and spectro-temporal integration in the ascending auditory pathway. Quantification of the biophysical and morphological cellular parameters of MNTB neurons and their synaptic input size as well as channel and synapse location in differently sized mammalian species, i.e. Etruscan shrew, gerbil and rat, allows us to grasp the consequences of brain size-dependent neuron scaling. Our electrophysiological and immunofluorescence findings will culminate in a computational model to understand the functional significances of individual neuronal elements. Moreover, we can utilize this comparative approach to investigate the functional role of MNTB dendrites, which remains largely unknown. Specifically, by quantitatively determining the influence of dendritic synaptic inputs on synaptic latency and the success of action potential generation, we can capture their potential role in the generation of high frequency outputs.

Funding: BLE, 812.500 EUR

Project Details:
Pig diseases and injuries occur in all housing systems. Intensive care or treatment does not always result in healing so that animals have to be killed to avoid further pain or suffering. The Animal Protection Act fundamentally stipulates the protection of animal lives and well-being. In the case of serious diseases or injuries, the deci-sion which subject of protection needs to be preferred is inevitable. For pig farmers, the decision concerning killing an animal is considerably challenging. The aim of this project is to define simply collectable and valid criteria with which the well-being of diseased pigs can be accurately assessed and a responsible, justified decision can be made regarding the killing. The criteria should define the earliest possible time-point in the course of a disease at which an impairment of the well-being for protecting life is no longer acceptable and emergency killing becomes inevitable. The decision regarding the killing requires in addition an ethical evaluation, which includes safeguarding interests of the pig owners. The project should depict the complex process of decision-making concerning the killing of diseased pigs exem-plary for relevant diseases or injuries. Diseased or injured pigs of various age groups should be monitored during the entire course of disease by means of clinical exam-inations and supplementary photo and video documentation in order to generate data sets, which make a decision regarding the killing understandable. Finally, prac-ticable, illness-/injury-specific criteria catalogues should be compiled for livestock pigs and integrated in a training concept. A further aim of the project is to analyse the reasons why pig farmers have wrongly assessed the health status of affected animals. The training concept should therefore directly deal with these reasons.

Cooperation Partners:

ISN Projekt GmbH, Damme

Funding: Biotech Sector, 151.800 EUR

Project Details:
Therapy development

Project Details:
Cooperation strengthens cohesion between animals and is thus a decisive factor for social systems. The present project aims to investigate how individualised relationships - reflected in different types, and amounts, of socio-positive interactions between dyads - shape the social system in a bat model, Carollia perspicillata. A first study will disclose the effects of the interacting individuals, and sex, on cooperative behaviours among bats roosting in stable groups. A second study serves to pinpoint the effect of familiarity on cooperation, using allogrooming and food begging/sharing as paradigms in a series of behavioural experiments. Differences in type, frequency, and duration of interactions, and in the concomitant vocal communication, are expected for experiments with unfamiliar individuals versus those with bats from a given roosting group. The results will contribute to a deeper understanding of how cooperation between individuals may have driven the evolution of bat sociality.

Cooperation Partners:

Prof. Dr. Gerald Kerth,, Zoology and Nature conservation, Zoologisches Institut und Museum, Universität Greifswald

Funding: EIP_Agri, ELER_Fonds Hier investiert Europa in die ländlichen Gebiete mit der Maßnahme: Europäische Innovationspartnerschaft Mit dieser Maßnahme wird die Zusammenarbeit zwischen Landwirtschaft, Ernährungswirtschaft und Wissenschaft unterstützt. Ziel ist die Durchführung von Projekten, die zu Innovationen und einer Stärkung der Wettbewerbsfähigkeit in der Landwirtschaft führen., 482.195 EUR

Project Details:
The project "DEALS- Decontamination with alternative methods as a hurdle concept on carcasses and cuts of pork, broiler and turkey" investigates the combined application of several innovative decontamination methods in connection with meat production. The aim is to reduce the number of carcasses to be discarded (resource conservation) and to improve or ensure the food safety of the meat (consumer protection). For this purpose, plasma water as well as UV-C treatment, the application of starter cultures and the newer application of plasma water in the form of EWNS (engineeres water nano structures) are to be used. Step by step these decontamination methods will be applied in vitro on pure cultures of relevant microorganisms, on carcass surfaces of pigs, broilers and turkeys, and finally on meat cuts. Within the project, a prototype for the combined application of the methods is to be developed in cooperation with the HAWK, which has already proven itself in another EiP project. The close exchange with the OG partners from the downstream primary production (slaughterhouses) is particularly essential for the practical implementation of the ideas.

Cooperation Partners:

HAWK- Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaft und Kunst Hildesheim. Göttingen, Holzminden;

Schlachtbetrieb Mario Klos;

Lohmann & Co.AG

Funding: Europäische Union, Europäischer Landwirtschaftsfonds für die Entwicklung des ländlichen Raums - ELER, 179.500 EUR

Project Details:
Abstract:
The consequences of climate change are reflected in rising temperatures and, at the same time, more frequent extreme weather conditions. This has direct consequences for agriculture. Long-term high temperatures not only put a strain on people, but also on farm animals. Against the background of the predicted longer periods of heat in the coming summers, an adapted climate management for all barn and husbandry types is one of the central adaptation tasks in the course of climate change.
At the same time, farms face the challenge of reducing ammonia emissions. This not only aims at improving the nitrogen utilization and thus at resource-saving and efficient fertilization, but also in particular at the pollution of the environment through N-deposits from the air (over-fertilization and acidification) and human health through secondary dusts that accumulate can form from ammonia.
In addition, the responsibility of the animal owner for the well-being of his animals is at the center of the social discourse on the future of the agricultural and food industry. In animal and barn management, care must be taken to ensure that optimal husbandry and feeding conditions prevail in order to prevent diseases.
In order to meet these challenges at the same time, the aim of "Mee(h)r im Stall" is to test an integrative climate system that reduces the challenges and fields of action outlined for agricultural operations
1. Of temperature peaks in the course of climate change in livestock stalls
2. Ammonia levels in the stable air
3. Fine dust levels in the stable room and
4. the germ pressure
equally and successfully addressed via an air conditioning application in poultry fattening houses.

So far, there has been no system in livestock husbandry that takes all of the challenges outlined into account at the same time. In "Mee(h)r im Stall" an integrative air conditioning system is used, which connects two technical systems that are already used effectively in other economic contexts (e.g. slaughter, food processing, beverage and pharmaceutical industry, hospital) by means of "intelligent" switching and control technology and thus addresses the four outlined fields of action for poultry farmers in a needs-oriented manner and at the same time focuses on the working conditions for workers in the barn.
On the one hand, a hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) nebulization system is used. To date, H2O2 nebulization has mainly been used for disinfection purposes. An ionization process is also used to simultaneously optimize the air quality for animals and people in the barn. The functional principle is very simple: negative and positive ions are generated by the so-called bipolar ionization. These ions convert the oxygen into reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxides, peroxides and hydroxyls. These electrically charged ions have the property of binding to microparticles in the air and thus clean the air of dust and harmful substances such as mold, viruses, bacteria and allergens. Regardless of the processes mentioned above, one has the subjective feeling of perceiving a sea breeze in the barn. More sea in the stable!

Link:
https://www.uni-vechta.de/meehr-im-stall

Cooperation Partners:

Trafo:agrar

AKE ZentriJet GmbH

Geflügelbetriebe Mahlstedt und Kühter

Funding: Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz, 252.002 EUR

Project Details:
Viruses can be inactivated in the airborne state and additionally in heated filter elements without using chemical processes (ozonization, ionization) and without producing toxic waste (mercury from UVC lamps). However, information about the use of short time heat exposition to inactivate airborne viruses are very scarce. Information about synergistic effects of temperature and pressure on airborne viruses in ventilation systems are still lacking. Therefore, studying the effects of both, heat and pressure on the infectivity of virus aerosols will help to increase the understanding of virus stability in air.
This subproject aims to study the effect of both, heat and pressure on airborne test viruses in an energyefficient
machine-optimized system operating with air exchange rates that are sufficient to clean air in open space offices, for instance.

Cooperation Partners:

SCHEER Heizsysteme & Produktionstechnik GmbH

Chausseestraße 6, D-25797 Wöhrden

Projektkoordinator: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Constantin Kinias

Funding: Landwirtschaftskammer Niedersachsen, 273.008 EUR

Project Details:
Currently, broiler barns are usually built with one single outer shell. This building design comes with several problems. The first problem is ensuring a sufficient amount of air supply. The second problem is high energy and water requirements. If the speed and volume of the incoming air is insufficient, the cold air will fall directly into the animal area. This causes hypothermia of the animals and an increase in litter moisture. The main reason for insufficient air supply is insufficient negative pressure. Reasons for insufficient negative pressure are leaks in the outer shell and an increased use of gas cannons with warm air blowers.
In this project, a new building design with two outer shells is built and tested. This new type of building should lead to an optimal, constant climate in the barn so that the animals are not exposed to strong climatic fluctuations. Furthermore, the construction and the more constant barn climate enable considerable savings in gas, electricity and water.

Cooperation Partners:

Stalltuning GmbH

Praxisbetrieb

Funding: Bundesanstalt für Landwirtschaft und Ernährung (BLE), 554.060 EUR

Project Details:
Bacterial diarrhoeal diseases in pigs are of great economic importance, affect animal welfare in all age groups and contribute significantly to the use of antibiotics in pig. Of the seven Brachyspira species found in pigs, most diarrhoeal diseases are triggered by the species Brachyspira hyodsenteriae (BHY) and Brachyspira pilosicoli (BPI). Treatment of diarrhoea caused by brachyspiral infections is very time-consuming and only a small number of microbial agents are approved for treatment. The significance of differences in the pathogenic potential of different bacterial isolates and the influence of the genetic background of the pig is still unknown. Therefore, a reassessment of the brachyspirial infection to improve the animal welfare and reduce the use of antibiotics is needed. Consequently, the aim of the present project is to understand the pathogenesis of Brachyspira using our established in vitro intestinal organoid model. In addition, the influence of different Brachyspira species and the influence of different genetic backgrounds of the pigs will be investigated.