Immunology and microbiology
Profile
Research aim and focus
The research group aims to carry out and disseminate research concerning immunology, development of immunity and infection biology with special emphasis on disease prevention such as the interaction between microflora and immune response. Further, the aim is to generate knowledge of the importance of the microflora in feed and digestive tract for health, feed utilization and environmental and climate impact and for feed and food safety.
The main areas of research comprise:
- Infection models for studying infection biology, disease resistance and vaccination strategies and basic studies of biological causal mechanisms for infectious diseases, and how they are affected by genotype, nutrition, environment and the physiological status of the animal.
- Identification of biomarkers and selection markers for early recognition and prevention of infectious diseases.
- Securing of the microbial metabolism in feed and digestive tract that reduces odour problems and the production of greenhouse gas and results in high standards of health and nutrient utilization.
- Securing of feed quality and food safety in relation to fungal toxins and shedding of zoonotic bacteria.
The key disciplines of our research group are microbiology, molecular biology, immunology and pathobiology.
Research perspectives
The activities of the research group have perspectives aimed at several target groups. Detailed knowledge of the immune system and the microbial ecosystem in the gastrointestinal tract of farm animals is thus essential for disease prevention and an optimal sustainable livestock production. This is of great interest to the scientific society both within animal and human research and is at the same time crucial for our ability to instruct and advise the Danish farm animal producers and authorities on conditions of importance for an optimal sustainable farm animal production that ensures the health and welfare of farm animals, an environmentally optimal production, high product quality and food safety.