Overview of research projects

Funding: BioConsult GmbH & Co.KG, Bremen, 51.150 EUR

Project Details:
In order to be able to accompany the evaluation process of the spatial development plan (ROP) from the perspective of marine nature conservation, a nature conservation-based, ecosystem-based planning contribution is to be developed as part of the project, which can be integrated into the marine spatial development plan (MSP) update process in a targeted manner.
In order to enable a synthesis of the information relevant for the planning contribution, the current state of knowledge from completed and ongoing research projects will be researched. Together with additional sensitivity analyses, content for the integration of ecosystem-relevant aspects into the planning contribution will be developed. In addition, various scenarios for the expansion of offshore wind power will be developed and evaluated in order to establish the necessary conditions for an environmentally compatible expansion of renewable energies in the North and Baltic Seas. The project is thus intended to provide an overall spatial planning concept for marine protection that can be incorporated by the BfN into the process of evaluating and updating the MSP.
BioConsult GmbH & Co KG is carrying out the BfN research project as contractor.
The following work on marine mammals is being carried out as a contribution by the TiHo:
- Compilation and preparation of the available distribution data in the form of maps, diagrams and tables with textual explanations
- Identification and presentation of important habitats for indicator species (e.g. harbor porpoise, harbor seal, grey seal)
- Effects of three scenarios of OWP expansion

Funding: VolkswagenStiftung, 700.000 EUR

Project Details:
Avian influenza in humans is associated with pneumonia, inflammation and high case fatality rates. We identified CYP19A1 as a key gene involved in sex-specific lung inflammation in SARS-CoV-2 infected hamsters and humans. CYP19A encodes for the aromatase enzyme that converts testosterone-to-estradiol leading to the activation of various estrogen-regulated pathways associated with lung inflammation. Treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infected hamsters with letrozole, a clinically approved CYP19A1 aromatase inhibitor, recovered impaired lung function and overall lung health in males. We further found that also avian H7N9 influenza virus infection mediates massive upregulation of CYP19A1 in the lung of infected animals. Thus, we hypothesize that estrogen-regulated activation of inflammatory pathways in the lung play a crucial role in severe viral disease outcome. Therefore, in this proposal, we will systemically evaluate the impact of compounds that inhibit the synthesis of estrogens (using aromatase inhibitors) or interfere with estrogen-regulated down-stream pathways (using estrogen antagonists, SERMs, SERDs) against avian influenza in the hamster model. Obtained data will provide new insights into estrogen-mediated inflammatory pathways upon infection with respiratory viruses. Moreover, identification of common pathways might result in overarching drug targets to treat inflammatory lung diseases in general.

Cooperation Partners:

Evotec

Project Details:
The project focuses on the isolation of phages from the feces of bearded dragons. After isolation, phages are examined and classified according to their efficacy and characteristics. Subsequently the influence of phage application on the microbiom and shedding of Salmonella is examined. These examinations are of relevance because of the zoonotic potential of Salmonella shedding in reptiles.

Cooperation Partners:

Robert-Koch-Institut Wernigerode

Funding: Evangelisches Studienwerk Villigst, 44.500 EUR

Project Details:
Epilepsies are frequent neurological diseases in humans and dogs, characterized by recurrent, spontaneous seizures. About one third of human and two thirds of canine epilepsy patients do not become seizure free with the currently available antiseizure medications and are considered as pharmacoresistant. In addition, all antiseizure drugs cause adverse effects. Non-pharmacological treatment strategies are therefore urgently needed, and include therapeutic exercise training as adjunctive therapy.
So far, the effects of moderate exercise training on epileptic seizure thresholds are not sufficiently investigated, although several studies suggest that its positive effects might be therapeutically useful. Our pre-clinical studies focus on the effects of moderate exercise training on epileptic seizure thresholds and behavior.

Cooperation Partners:

Gerald Schneider (Klinik für Rehabilitations- und Sportmedizin, Medizinische Hochschule Hannover)

Funding: MWK, 540.878 EUR

Project Details:
Comprehensive characterization of the hormone profiles of the HPG axis in male and female Long COVID patients, hormone panels, hormone measurements and statistical evaluations.
Creation of expression profiles of sex hormones and
sex hormone receptors in the plasma, lungs, reproductive organs and brains of male and female hamsters.

Results:

https://www.umg.eu/forschung/corona/cofoni/

Funding: Industry (Animal breeding), 1.056.339 EUR

Funding: Niedersächsisches Ministerium für Ernährung, Landwirtschaft und Verbraucherschutz , 133.410 EUR

Project Details:
The aim of the study is to begin recording the zoonotic potential of raccoon dog, nutria and raccoon populations in Lower Saxony, taking into account the distribution of these and other susceptible animal species in the region. For this purpose, a small number of animals are sampled and autopsied from the hunting grounds. This study is funded by the hunting levy of the MELV.

Project Details:
Flexural deformities are common in foals. Conservative therapy by systemic administration of oxytetracycline (OTC) is often effective, however, it is associated with risks and disadvantages. The aim of the project is to test the potential effect of pharmacological alternatives to OTC on tendon tissue ex vivo.

Results:

Cardinaux, E.M., Oltmanns, H., Beineke, A., Meißner, J., Geburek, F.

Pharmacological alternatives to oxytetracycline as potential treatment of flexural limb deformities in foals: a preliminary in vitro cell viability and proliferation study. In: Proceedings of the 33rd Annual Scientific Meeting of the European College of Veterinary Surgeons, ECVS; Valencia, Spain, July 4-6, 2024, Vet. Surg. 2024, 53, O3.

DOI: 10.1111/vsu.14127

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/vsu.14127?msockid=3bbb10b1936a636d06e205cc92aa6203

Project Details:
The objective of this prospective randomised clinical trial is to evaluate the occurrence of post-operative ileus as well as the short- and long-term outcome with the use of two different suture patterns for jejunojejunal anastomosis. Furthermore, histomorphology and several markers for inflammation, cell death, the enteric nervous system and stem cells will be evaluated in intestinal samples taken from the resection margins. In cases necessitating anastomotic revision or euthanasia, this (immuno-)histological examination will also be performed on the anastomosis itself. Determining the expression and distribution of these markers will enable the characterisation of this tissue prior to and following anastomosis and possibly identify causes for post-operative ileus or anastomotic failure.

Funding: Industry (Stable equipment/Animal husbandry supplies), 196.665 EUR

Project Details:
Sensor-based devices are increasingly used to objectify lameness and other gait abnormalities in horses. Recording the ground reaction forces of the hooves is the gold standard but measurements require well equipped facilities and significant effort. With the help of pressure boots, which can be easily attached to the horse's hooves, their pressure on the ground and position during locomotion can be determined. Data will be compared to established kinetic (pressure measuring plate) and kinematic methods (Equinosis Lameness LocatorTM).

Results:

Keller, J., Jung, K., Geburek, F. Equine Lameness Detection and Monitoring with an Instrumented Hoof Boot.

In: Proceedings of the 5th Scientific Meeting of the European College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation, ECVSMR; Cordoba, Spain, October 16-18, 2024; in print

 

Geburek, F., Jung, K., Keller, J. Bewegungsanalyse mit instrumentierten Hufschuhen - was ist möglich?

In: Tagungsband des DVG-Vet-Congress 2024 - 7. Internationaler Kongress zur Pferdemedizin / Tagung der DVG-Fachgruppe Pferdekrankheiten, 1.- 2. November 2024, Berlin, Verlag der DVG Service GmbH, Gießen, ISBN 978-3-86345-736-5, S. 44-46