Research

Funding: Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (DAAD), 48.000 EUR

Project Details:
Alphaviruses (family Togaviridae) are emerging and re-emerging small enveloped RNA viruses, which are transmitted from animal reservoirs to humans by mosquitoes and can cause debilitating joint pain or encephalitis. Depending on the reservoir species and the transmitting
mosquito vector they are found in different geographic regions. While Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and O’nyong’nyong virus (ONNV) were historically restricted to tropical and subtropical climates, Sindbis virus (SINV) and Ross River virus (RRV) are primarily found in Scandinavia and Australia, respectively. Adaptation of CHIKV to new mosquito vectors and global warming led to the occurrence of the virus in Europe, making it a potential public health problem in Germany and neighboring countries. An
introduction of Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV), which is circulating in the Americas and causing neurological symptoms in equids and humans, may also be possible in the future. No human vaccines or antiviral drugs against arthritogenic and neurotropic alphaviruses are on the market to date. This is reflected by a gap of knowledge of the molecular mechanism of the infection process and critical host factors involved in alphavirus infection and cross-species transmission.
Recently, our team found that the phosphatidylserine receptor T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 1 (TIM-1) is a CHIKV attachment factor. Another prominent group of phosphatidylserine receptors is the Tyro3, AXL, and MerTK (TAM) receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) family comprising the three proteins Tyro3, AXL and MerTK. The physiological function of TIM and TAM receptors is to bind and internalize apoptotic
bodies, which expose phosphatidylserine on the outer membrane leaflet. We could show that TIM-1 but not AXL serves as host factor for CHIKV. Moreover, the TIM-1 phosphatidylserine binding domain termed metal ion ligand binding site (MILIBS) is critical for the host factor function of TIM-1 in the context of CHIKV infection. TIM-1 affects binding as well as internalization of CHIKV particles to human cells. Finally, TIM-1 also enhances CHIKV infection in keratinocytes, which are among the first target cells of the virus after mosquito bite.
We therefore hypothesize that alphaviruses including CHIKV will use phosphatidylserine receptors for cell attachment and entry in reservoir species such as non-human primates and in transmitting mosquito vectors. Moreover, we here aim to clarify if virus produced in insect cells also exposes phosphatidylserine and this aids in infection of human cells, i.e. in cross-species transmission. Lastly, we will elucidate, how
phosphatidylserine becomes exposed on the viral envelope.
Thereby the work will contribute to the understanding of the molecular composition of alphavirus particles, the function of alphavirus attachment factors and the role of apoptotic mimicry in cross-species transmission and consequently emergence of alphaviruses.

Funding: Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft, 117.746 EUR

Project Details:
Limb and claw diseases belong to the most common production diseases and causes of culling. As a result they cause great economic damage as well as suffering to the cow. Alternative barn construction systems like compost bedded pack barns are discussed in literature as possibility to reduce lameness and promote animal welfare. As a subproject of the "IGG Project- Innovations for Healthy and Happy Cows", the aim of this study is to record claw health and lying behavior in German compost bedded pack barns to evaluate the influence of compost bedded pack barns as an alternative barn construction system on claw health and lying behavior.

Results:

https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15091347

Cooperation Partners:

1. Forschungsinstitut für Nutztierbiologie (FBN) Dummerstorf

2. Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut (FLI) Riems

3. Landwirtschaftliche Bildungszentrum (LBZ) Echem

4. Hochschule Neubrandenburg (HS NB)

5. Landesamt für Umwelt, Landwirtschaft und Geologie (LfULG)

Sachsen

6. Landesanstalt für Landwirtschaft (LfL) Grub

Funding: DFG, 310.150 EUR

Project Details:
The intermediate nuclei of the lateral lemniscus (INLL) is one of the three nuclei of the lateral lemniscus that process and relay auditory information between the cochlear nucleus, the superior olivary complex and the auditory midbrain. While the function of the other two lemniscal nuclei is at least partially understood the involvement of the INLL in sound processing is largely unknown. Moreover, the transmitter type of INLL neurons seem species specific, as rodents and bats are labelled for glutamatergic and glycinergic markers respectively. From animal models that hear well below and above 2 kHz, like humans, hardly any functional data from this auditory brainstem structure is available. The present anatomical and functional data of the INLL indicates that it might be involved in the integration of auditory information between different frequencies. Such a cross-frequency integration is key process for generating the neuronal representation of our auditory environment. To elucidate the filter functions and functional role of the INLL we propose to investigate the sound processing features of this auditory structure with in vivo single unit electrophysiology. Initially, we will record acoustically evoked responses elicited by a battery of sound stimulations ranging from pure tones to conspecific calls. This stimulation battery allows us to characterize the basic processing features of INLL neurons. In the next step, we will determine the temporal and frequency dependent integration characteristics of INLL neurons. Our preliminary in vivo single unit recordings highlight the temporal filter functions by analyzing modulation transfer functions of stimulated transposed tones. In agreement with existing data from bat, we find evidence for integration of sounds between different sound frequencies. Obtaining deeper insights into the filter functions and integration characteristics will allow us to postulate functional roles of the INLL in sound processing. Finally, we plan to perform whole-cell in vivo recordings to gain mechanistic insight how INLL neurons achieve their processing tasks. Thus, this application will illuminate the functional role of an auditory brainstem structure that is well connected but hardly understood and therefore the proposal will substantially add to our understanding of sound processing and how we generate our auditory world in our brain.

Funding: Verein der Förderer der Wildtierforschung e. V., 5.800 EUR

Project Details:
This dissertation project will first validate the non-invasive measurement of glucocorticoid metabolites (fGCM) as a stress indicator in the common buzzard (Buteo buteo) living in permanent housing. Subsequently, stress levels as well as microbial metabolic fingerprint will be determined in captive buzzards during the rehabilitation process to investigate the relationship between anthropogenic stress and changes in microbial metabolic activity in captive birds of prey. In conclusion the rehabilitation procedures in captive birds of prey will be evaluated and recommendations to optimize animal welfare will be developed.

Cooperation Partners:

Chadi Touma, Abteilung Verhaltensbiologie, Universität Osnabrück

Project Details:
Different types of glial cells are present in the nervous system. These cells perform many different functions. For example, microglial cells are involved in immune-responses and synapse formation, while oligodendrocytes are important for insulating axons supporting rapid, long-distance voltage signalling in neurons. During early and late postnatal development, the nervous system undergoes alterations in neuronal morphologies, connectivities and functions. From the various glial functions, it can be inferred that also their shape and function changes during this life span. The quantification of the developmental alterations in glial cells together with the knowledge about neuronal, developmental changes will therefore shed light on the functional interactions between neurons and glial cells. It is best to quantify the development of glial cells in a well-defined neuronal structure, because glial cell densities and orientation can be matched to a defined area and spatial axis. The superior olivary complex in the auditory system offers such a well-defined neuronal structure. Our project aims to determine the cell number of microglia and oligodendrocytes in distinct auditory nuclei during postnatal development. The microglial shape will be quantified and their spatial orientation determined. The number of oligodendrocyte-neuron connections will be analysed in a developmental manner. We will find out whether glial development is adapted to neuronal maturation in specific nuclei or follows an general time course.

Results:

Zacher AC, Hohaus K, Felmy F, Pätz-Warncke C.: Developmental profile of microglia distribution in nuclei of the superior olivary complex. J Comp Neurol. 2023 Oct 14. doi: 10.1002/cne.25547. Online ahead of print.

Funding: Forschungskreis der Ernährungsindustrie e.V. (FEI), 96.588 EUR

Project Details:
Milk is increasingly criticised by the public for causing various diseases in humans. Beta-casomorphin-7 (BCM-7), which is formed from A1 beta-casein during the digestion of milk, is suggested to be responsible for this. Caseins make up the largest proportion of the protein fraction in milk, accounting for about 80% of the total protein. Four types are distinguished, two different alpha-caseins (αS1 and αS2), as well as kappa- and beta-casein. In domestic cattle, 12 different variants of the beta-casein gene (CSN2) are known so far (A1, A2, A3, B, C, D, E, F, G, H1, H2 and I), of which the A1 and A2 variants are the most significant. At the protein level, the A1 and A2 beta-caseins differ in a single amino acid at position 67 (A1: histidine; A2: proline), which is thought to have a significant influence on the structural and thus also functional properties of the proteins. These can influence both the enteric digestibility of the milk and the technological properties during milk processing. The majority of milk marketed in Germany contains varying amounts of A1 and A2 beta-casein and is referred to as A1 milk. A2 milk, on the other hand, comes from A2/A2 homozygous animals and may not contain A1 beta-casein. The BCM-7 produced from A1 beta-casein may be further degraded to BCM-5, both of which are thought to mediate their effects via - and µ-opioid receptors. In A2 milk, however, the production of these BCM peptides is supposed to be significantly lower, although this assumption is still questionable. In the proposed project, therefore, fundamental questions about the effect of BCM-7 and its occurrence (degradation, formation) in milk and milk products should be answered. Therefore in one part of the project BCM-7 will be added to milk before processing to cheese and yoghurt, in another part milk from A1/A1 and A2/A2 cows will be used for processing. At different steps within the production of the cheese and yoghurt BCM-7 contents will be analysed. In further investigations, physicochemical, sensory and microbiological analyses will be performed to determine the extent to which the different milk genotypes influence the quality of the specific milk products.

Cooperation Partners:

Lehrstuhl für Physiologie (Frau Prof. Cornelia Deeg), Lehrstuhl für Klinische Pharmakologie (Prof. H. Ammer) der Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München

Funding: BfN, 272.431 EUR

Project Details:
The project aims to determine thresholds for marine mammals to show behavioural responses to ship noise and other significant anthropogenic underwater noise. For this purpose, up to 8 grey seals in the German North Sea will be transmitted with DTAGs, which record the movement and the received underwater sound on the animal. The grey seal data collected will be analysed together with data from 14 harbour seals in the German Wadden Sea and the Danish Limfjord already collected in previous projects. The sound data will be analysed with regard to ship passages. Subsequently, the ship passages will be assigned to individual ships that have been detected by AIS in the vicinity. The proportion of ship passages that originate from ships equipped with an AIS system is examined. In the further analysis, behavioural reactions that occur in connection with anthropogenic underwater noise are determined. In this analysis, threshold values are determined above which behavioural responses to underwater noise occur, thus making a significant contribution to environmental objective 6-01, the "derivation and application of biological thresholds for the effect of underwater noise on relevant species". The
behavioural responses will also be investigated in terms of distance to vessels, vessel types and cruising speeds. This step will enable an evaluation of the chances of success of proposed noise reduction or protection measures (in the sense of Environmental Objective 6-04), such as a speed limit, determination of shipping routes or the establishment of quiet zones. The studies should help to find a balance between the ecological, economic and social aspects of the use of the oceans. The overall impact of humans on the marine ecosystem is to be reduced to a tolerable level in order to enable sustainable use for future generations.

Results:

Elmegaard, S.L., Teilmann, J., Rojano-Doñate, L. et al. Wild harbour porpoises startle and flee at low received levels from acoustic harassment device. Sci Rep 13, 16691 (2023).

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-43453-8

Funding: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)/PTJ Jülich, 528.494 EUR

Project Details:
Marine mammals, such as grey seal, harbor seal and harbor porpoise, are important top predators in the ecosystem of the North Sea and Baltic Sea. All species have a high conservation status in Europe and are sensitive to changes and disturbances in their environment. They are therefore considered important indicators of the state of marine ecosystems. In order to consider this group of species in ecosystem models accordingly and also to make assessments as well as management measures, both the demands on their habitat and the influences of anthropogenic stressors have to be included.
The aim of this project is to integrate the occurrence of marine mammals in the novel cross-scale end-to-end (E2E) model system being developed in CoastalFutures in an interdisciplinary manner. With this model system, the project creates a virtual environment to study impacts of climate change and anthropogenic uses on ecosystems and key species, and to test different management measures that have not yet been evaluated, especially in the context of marine mammal population protection and conservation.
The project will improve prediction of temporal and spatial changes in marine mammal abundance and develop an understanding of those processes that influence interannual and seasonal variability in species distribution. In addition, model development involves stakeholders to evaluate current and potential use patterns and test management actions. Anthropogenic stressors, such as the effects of offshore wind energy development, will be investigated through telemetry studies of harbor seals to draw conclusions about the effects of noise emissions on energy budgets via recording and modeling behavioral responses. This will allow for a multifactorial, more comprehensive assessment of human-caused underwater noise. The use scenarios will be run in combination with scenario simulations of regional impacts of future climate change using the marine mammal distribution models and coupled with the end-to-end (E2E) model system.
As a result, the project generates urgently needed action knowledge for the implementation of political-societal targets, e.g. from the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive, and enables the evaluation of the effectiveness of management options for the protected good 'marine mammals' under future climate conditions.

Results:

Gilles, A.; Pigeault, R.; Ramirez-Martinez, N. C.; Schaffeld, T.; Siebert, U. CoastalFutures - Zukunftsszenarien zur Förderung einer nachhaltigen Nutzung mariner Räume: Vorhaben: Szenarien für marine Säugetiere; Technische Informationsbibliothek: Hannover, 2025.

https://doi.org/10.34657/19387

Cooperation Partners:

Hereon Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon GmbH, Zentrum für Material- und Küstenforschung

Prof. Corinna Schrum, Institut für Küstensysteme -Analyse und Modellierung

IOW Leibniz-Institut für Ostseeforschung Warnemünde

CAU-FTZ Universität Kiel, Forschungs- und Technologiezentrum Westküste

TUBS Technische Universität Braunschweig, Leichtweiß-Institut für Wasserbau

UHH Universität Hamburg, Institut für Meereskunde

TI-SF/OF Thünen-Institut (TI für Seefischerei, TI für Ostseefischerei)

LUH Leibniz Universität Hannover, Ludwig-Franzius-Institut

AWI Alfred-Wegener-Institut, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung

TUHH Technische Universität Hamburg, Institut für Wasserbau

BSH Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie

DWD Deutscher Wetterdienst

BAW Bundesanstalt für Wasserbau

BfN Bundesamt für Naturschutz

SWIMWAY SWIMWAY Wattenmeer-Gruppe

Funding: Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF)/PTJ Jülich, 197.600 EUR

Project Details:
The North and Baltic Seas are currently undergoing increasing change due to human activities and climate change. The aim of the subproject of the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover Foundation, conducted by the Institute of Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, is to identify and establish pathogens in native marine mammals and in the environment as indicators of increasing anthropogenic pressures on marine mammals. Habitat changes and effects of anthropogenic activities on marine mammals could be detected at an early stage and serve the development of management recommendations and political and societal decision-making processes with regard to the protection and sustainable use of coastal and marine areas. For this purpose, existing data from previous projects on marine mammals from the planned observatories' areas will be compiled. In addition, new data will be obtained during the project from live and dead grey seals (Halichoerus grypus), harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), harbor porpoises (Phocoena phocoena) and taken from the environment at the selected observatories/sampling stations (real laboratories), which include Borkum Riffgrund, Sylt Outer Reef and Eckernförde Bay. The swab, tissue and water samples are analyzed for the bacteria and selected viruses present using various modern methods. The loads are recorded both qualitatively and quantitatively. The data obtained will be used to assess whether there have been changes in the loads at the three sites over the past 25 years. In addition, the data will be analyzed with respect to pathogens with indicator suitability, and appropriate pathogens will be integrated into the long-term monitoring strategy of the reallaboratories. This integrated research on marine mammals, together with the results of the other project partners, forms an overall picture. This research will make an important contribution to the sustainable use and protection of the coasts and seas, as well as their inhabitants, and thus to the conservation of biodiversity.

Results:

Kurzbericht zum Vorhaben Entwicklung von Indikatorpathogenen bei Meeressäugern zur Weiterentwicklung der Bewertung anthropogener Einflüsse

https://doi.org/10.34657/21099

Cooperation Partners:

Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, Bremerhaven inklusive Helmholtz-Institut für Funktionelle Marine Biodiversität an der Universität Oldenburg

Christian-Albrechts-Universität, Kiel

Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik, Bonn

GEOMAR Helmholtz-Zentrum für Ozeanforschung Kiel

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Leibniz-Institut für Ostseeforschung Warnemünde

Max-Planck-Institut für Marine Mikrobiologie, Bremen

Senckenberg am Meer, Wilhelmshaven

Johann Heinrich von Thünen-Institut, Bremerhaven

Umweltforschungszentrum Leipzig

Universität Greifswald

Universität Oldenburg

Rostock Universität Rostock

Leibniz-Zentrum f. Mar. Tropenforschung Bremen

Funding: Umweltbundesamt, (Geschäftszeichen: 25 105/0386, Projektnummer: 3721252010) Fachbegleitung: Ulrike Pirntke, UBA, 199.989 EUR

Project Details:
The aim of the project is to develop a monitoring and assessment concept for the pollutant load of marine mammals in the North and Baltic Seas. The work thus also contributes to the implementation of the requirements for descriptor 8 (pollutants) of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD).
Within the scope of the contract, the Institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research (ITAW) of the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover (TiHo) Foundation will evaluate the current state of knowledge on pollutant loads and health effects for harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) and harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) from the North and Baltic Seas using existing publications, reports and data sets. For this purpose, studies from the North Sea and the Baltic Sea as well as from other marine areas will be used. Furthermore, a monitoring and assessment concept for the pollution load of marine mammals under the MSFD, the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea (HELCOM) and the Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR) will be developed. The utilization of the determined pollutant data in marine mammals for the chemical legislation, e.g. REACH, Plant Protection Act will be ensured together with UBA.
In order to be able to assess the pollutant load, assessment thresholds for selected pollutants for the protection of marine mammals will be developed together with the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research GmbH (UFZ): environmental quality standards (EQS) will be derived for the selected pollutants, following the methodology of the EU Technical Guidance Document (TGD) No. 27, in order to comply with the Water Framework Directive (WFD), the MSFD and the regional conventions OSPAR as well as HELCOM in approach and level of protection. The aim is that the marine mammal EQS to be developed will support the implementation of descriptor 8 (pollutants) and indicator development at OSPAR as well as HELCOM for a (regional) assessment of marine mammal pollutant loads.

Results:

Abschlußbericht: Entwicklung eines Monitoring- und Bewertungskonzeptes für die Schadstoffbelastung mariner Säuger in der Nord- und Ostsee zur Umsetzung der MSRL

https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/publikationen/entwicklung-eines-monitoring-bewertungskonzeptes

Cooperation Partners:

Prof. Dr. Annika Jahnke, Helmholtz-Zentrum für Umweltforschung GmbH - UFZ