Research

Funding: DFG (VIPER GRK)

Project Details:
Characterizing the impact of morbilliviruses upon innate responses and the integrity of respiratory epithelial cells.
-Generation and characterization of 3D-culture systems of different wildlife carnivore species
-Analyses of morbillivirus infections upon respiratory tract cells of wild carnivores in vivo and ex vivo

Funding: DFG (VIPER GRK)

Project Details:
Motile cilia are microtubule-based, hair-like projections on the luminal membrane of epithelial cells in conducting airways. Through their continuous wave-like beating, they evacuate mucus secreted by goblet cells, thereby contributing to muco-ciliary clearance (MCC). In this function, motile cilia are actors of the first-line defense against inhaled pathogens. Dysregulated cilia will have a long-term effect on MCC and predispose for further diseases. Similarly, the diffuse endocrine system plays an essential role in respiratory tract imbalances. However, underlying pathogenetic mechanisms are not well understood, neither in various organs nor in the trachea and larynx. Therefore, the envisioned study will enhance our understanding of short- and potential long-term effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the upper respiratory tract and its associated endocrine and nervous system.

Cooperation Partners:

Institut für Virologie, Universität Münster,

Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Biochemistry, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, U.S.A (Klaus Schughart),

Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (HZI), Braunschweig (Robert Geffers),

Medizinisch Hochschule Hannover (Peter Claus)

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.

Project Details:
Etwa ein Drittel aller Humanpatienten und Zweidrittel aller caninen Patienten mit Epilepsien werden mit den vorhandenen Medikamenten nicht anfallsfrei. Die Entwicklung neuer Therapiestrategien gehört daher zu den großen medizinischen Herausforderungen im Bereich der Epilepsieforschung. Pharmakologische Behandlungen mit Anfallssuppressiva (Antiepileptika) sind zudem mit dosis-abhängigen unerwünschten Nebenwirkungen assoziiert, so dass neben der Entwicklung neuer Medikamente zunehmend auch nicht-pharmakologische Begleit-therapien untersucht werden. Regelmäßiges aerobes Ausdauertraining kann einen therapeutischen Einfluss auf epileptische Anfälle haben und zudem eventuell die Wirksamkeit von Medikamenten direkt beeinflussen. Die Projekthypothese ist, dass sich die antikonvulsive Wirksamkeit verschiedener Klassen von Antiepileptika durch Kombination mit geeigneten Trainingsparametern verstärken lässt, so dass eine geringere Dosis der Medikamente für die Behandlung eingesetzt werden muss, was in der Folge das Risiko unerwünschter Nebenwirkungen senken sollte. Als Nebenhypothese postulieren wir, dass die zu verifizierende Wirksamkeitsverbesserung nicht auf eine Veränderung der Plasmakonzentration des Antiepileptikums zurückzuführen ist, sondern auf Veränderungen der Rezeptoren und Kanäle im epileptischen Netzwerk.

Funding: DFG, 45.000 EUR

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

Funding: DFG, 45.000 EUR

Project Details:
Evolution and ecology of RNA-viruses in small mammels

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

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

Funding: DFG, 45.000 EUR

Project Details:
Role of adipose tissue as a silent reservoir for respiratory virus replication

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.