Overview of research projects

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.

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: 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.

Funding: Deutsche Gesetzliche Unfallversicherung (DGUV), 125.800 EUR

Project Details:
In order to be able to improve the prevention of work-related health hazards, a proposal for a standardised test procedure for the validation of air purifiers for indoor spaces should be available after completion of the research project. The test procedure should both verify the effectiveness of the applied procedure with regard to the reduction of the virus load in the indoor air in addition to other manufacturer specifications, and also takes into account possible risks for people who are in the treated indoor spaces after or during the air purification (e.g. nitrogen oxides, photobiological safety).

Cooperation Partners:

Fraunhofer Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.

Forschungsstelle: Fraunhofer Institut für Holzforschung (Wilhelm Klauditz-Institut - WKI - )

Funding: DFG, 109.050 EUR

Project Details:
Im Rahmen dieses Projektes wird die Rolle des Makrophagen-induzierbaren C-Typ Lektinrezeptors (MINCLE) im Verlauf der Strongyloides ratti-Infektion untersucht, mit Fokus auf wurmvermittelte Immunmodulation. Ziel des Projektes ist es, die Rolle von MINCLE während der Infektion mit S. ratti im Mausmodell genauer zu untersuchen und Liganden für MINCLE in den Lysaten von S. ratti zu identifizieren und molekular zu charakterisieren. Zusammenfassend erwarten wir von dem Projekt ein genaueres Verständnis der Immunevasion im Verlauf von Wurminfektionen und des Einflusses des C-Typ Lektinrezeptors MINCLE auf diesen Prozess.

Funding: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG), 140.519 EUR

Project Details:
Mosquito-borne arboviruses are an increasing (re-)emerging threat for more than 781 million people in Africa (70% of the continental population) (Weetman et al., 2018). Aedes-borne yellow fever (YFV), dengue (DENV), chikungunya (CHIKV) and Zika virus (ZIKV) as well as Aedes- and Culex-borne Rift Valley fever (RVFV) virus infections have been documented from the African continent, but reports are sketchy. The absence of evidence-based risk maps for arbovirus infections prevents adequate planning of both public health and research resources. Although the main vectors Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopitus and Culex quinquefasciatus are prevalent in Central and West African countries (Kreamer et al., 2015); the distribution and the frequency of arboviral infections and outbreaks display a surprising heterogeneity between and within certain countries. Thus, we ask the key question: Do genetic variability and bionomic differences in local mosquito vector populations influence arbovirus occurrence across countries in West Africa?
Here we propose to assess the difference in human exposure to arboviruses (through an epidemiologic and serologic study) based on in-depth multi-national investigation on the vector?s biting behavior, virus surveillance, and the genetic structure of vector populations. We will conduct our study in three West and Central African countries (Benin, Gabon and Côte d?Ivoire) with different and specific epidemiological profiles. Benin (West Africa) will present a setting with low arboviral occurrence, Gabon (Central Africa) will represent a latent focus with high arboviral occurrence where no outbreaks have been reported since 2010, and Côte d?Ivoire (West Africa) will represent an active focus with high arboviral occurrence where ongoing outbreaks have been reported recently. In each country, the study will be conducted in already known arbovirus foci or potential arbovirus foci with arbovirus detection from either human, animal or mosquitoes. As arboviruses have been reported mainly in large African cities, the study will be conducted in the capital cities (and their surrounding towns) of every country to maximize the probability to observe an arboviral infection We will select three sites representing each rural, suburban or urban area to capture potential variability in arbovirus prevalence in connection with mosquito species diversity, and vector and human populations.
The outcomes will help directly to set up a sustainable network on arboviruses (termed EcoVir-network) which will work to contribute to improving the surveillance, prevention and control of arboviruses in Africa. Furthermore, we will build a well-trained new generation of young African scientists through our training program, who will in future contribute to arbovirus control in Africa.

Cooperation Partners:

Prof. Dr. Steffen Borrmann: Tübingen, Germany

Dr. Julien Zahouli Bi Zahouli: Abidjan; Côte d?Ivoire

Prof. Dr. Luc Salako Djogbenou: Abomey-Calavi, Benin

Dr. Gäel Darren Maganga: Franceville, Gabon

Prof. Dr. Ayola Akim Adegnika: Lambarene, Gabon

Prof. Dr. Jacques Mavoungou: Libreville, Gabon

Project Details:
Experimental investigation of sedative and muscle relaxant effects of brotizolam in calves to improve induction quality during general anesthesia

Project Details:
The aim of this study is to examine a possible association between the
concentration of IGFBP and IGF-1 in blood and follicular fluid and whether this is also reflected in differences in local gene expression in the immediate vicinity of the oocyte. The IGFBP pattern in blood and follicular fluid of the same animals will be measured by Western ligand blotting and the IGF-1 concentration by ELISA. The local gene expression of components of the IGF system in obtained granulosa cells will be detected by PCR. Thus, a possible transfer between the somatotropic axis and the local IGF-1 system will be investigated and visualized by in vivo experiments.

Results:

https://elib.tiho-hannover.de/receive/tiho_mods_00007881

Cooperation Partners:

Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg

Funding: Bundesministerium für Ernährung und Landwirtschaft, 206.956 EUR

Project Details:
In vitro investigations on host-pathogen interactions and factors determining virulence of non-notifiable avian Influenza viruses.

Cooperation Partners:

GD Deventer, Dr. S. de Wit

University of Edinburgh, Dr. L. Vervelde

Department of Poultry Diseases, Pulawy, Dr. K. Smietanka

Hungary, Prof. A. Balint

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.

Project Details:
Im Rahmen der Studien wird der Nachweis von Salmonellen im Rahmen des Mikrobioms untersucht, sowie der Einfluss externer und interner Faktoren auf die Ausscheidungsrate. Dabei wird auch der Einsatz von Phagen zur Beeinflussung der Salomonellenausscheidung geprüft.

Cooperation Partners:

RKI Wernigerode, Helmholtz-Institut Leipzig