Programme areas

Animals differ in the quantitative as well as qualitative expression of their characteristics (biodiversity) such as body size or number of offspring and in their ability to adapt more or less successfully to changing environmental conditions (ambient temperature, food composition, dietary restrictions) (adaptation). Such differences exist between individuals of the same parentage but also between breeds and species and are the consequence of selection, either natural or through breeding programs. Important variables for biodiversity and adaptability are already present in pre- and early postnatal life; accordingly the processes of ontogenesis and imprinting are considered. In this program area we examine the basic genetic, epigenetic and physiological mechanisms of adaptation at the level of individuals (adaptation) and populations (biodiversity) and explore the functional annotation of farm animal genomes and statistical and bioinformatics models for the estimation of genetic effects in order to ensure a sustainable management of the diversity of our farm animals.

Today, the sustainable safeguarding of animal health and welfare of animals under human care is a main task coherently recognized and demanded by science, society, policy and economy. Compared to wild-living animals, the processes of domestication and breeding, limitations of housing environments in anthropogenic ecosystems, economization of performance-associated traits, and altered social and living conditions of farm animal populations have resulted in major changes of physiology and behaviour of such animals. This may have negative consequences for the animals if the husbandry challenges exceed their evolved adaptive repertoire. Therefore, our research on farm animals is focused on the clarification of the functions and the processes of biological systems that play an essential role in physiological and psychological coping with challenges livestock farming in the context of health and welfare. This includes various key players of the immune, the reproductive, the metabolic and the neuroendocrine system as well as the behavior and the complex interaction between these systems. The interdisciplinary approaches of this systemic research comprise all biological levels from molecular biology to behaviour, from the cell and its compartments to the organism, and finally the herd. Our research goals are the identification of innovative bioindicators for animal health and well-being, as well as the development of strategies for prevention of diseases and for the improvement of animal welfare in terms of housing, nutrition, and management.