In this project we will study the effect of fat and protein on the virulence of L. monocytogenes using a food-gastrointestinal tract-infection model including the SHIME® system. This project is funded by the Ernst Mach Grant - ASEA-UNINET.

In this project we aim to understand the diversity of biofilms in food procing environment and their role as niches for foodborne pathogens.
This project is part of the his project is part of the Austrian competence center FFoQSI- Feed and Food Quality, Safety and Innovation

In this FWF funded project (P 36779) we aim to characterize the role of Rhs insertions in bacterial competition and virulence in Listeria monocytogenes. Our hypothesis is that this gene locus harbors toxin/antitoxin systems, which provide advantage in bacterial competition and interfere with pathogenicity.

This project, which is part of the OneHealth PhD programme of the Vetmeduni, aims to study the prevalence and characteristics of L. monocytogenes in the pig farm environment, in pigs and slaughterhouse in Austria. Our hypothesis is that pigs are frequent asymptomatic carriers of L. monocytogenes and contribute to the contamination of pork meat products. Moreover, the localization of Listeria in the infected pig will be investigated. This PhD project is a joined project with Lukas Schwarz from the University Clinic for Swine.

More about the OneHealth PhD Programme of the Vetmeduni