Thesis

(online since: 04.09.2018)

Short description of the thesis:

Histomonosis of poultry is caused by the protozoan parasite Histomonas meleagridis. In turkeys the disease often causes high mortality compared to chickens. Studies on the adapted immune response against the disease revealed several peculiarities for the two closely related avian species. However, there is no information on the role of toll-like receptors (TLRs) during the immune defense against H. meleagridis. Elucidating changes in TLR expressions during infection of immune cells of chickens reveals responses of the innate immune system and can contribute to understand the disease outcome.

Within this project, a diploma thesis is available for measuring TLR-expression by RT-qPCR using an in vitro system. The main objective is to understand the innate immune response of immune cells of chickens against parasite. Technically, you will be closely supervised and acquainted with the different molecular biology procedures.

Requirements:

• theoretical/basic knowledge of RT-qPCR or PCR

Further information:

none

Key data of the thesis:

• Duration of thesis: 5 to 7 months
• Start: asap
• Language of thesis: English

Key data of the organisational unit:

• Institute: University Clinic for Poultry and Fish
• Contact:
  Dieter Liebhart
  Send E-Mail to Dieter Liebhart
  T +43 1 25077-4728

(Online since 18.09.2020)

Short description of the thesis:

The experiment was conducted as part of a larger project in NÖ with dairy cows. The total (faecal) samples were collected from cows fed a high grain diet.

Requirements:

Basic knowledge in animal nutrition.

Further information:

This thesis will required lab work at the Institute of Animal Nutrition and Functional Plant Compounds, including pH measurements using a portable pH meter.

Key data of the thesis:

• Duration of thesis: 3 weeks
• Start: Middle of October
• Language of thesis: English

Key data of the organisational unit:

• Institute: Institute of Animal Nutrition and Functional Plant Compounds
• Contact: Raul Rivera Chacon
  Send E-Mail to Raul Rivera Chacon
  T +43 1 25077-920897

Feedback from students requested by 12.10.2020.
 

(Online since 22.09.2020)

Short description of the thesis:

Maintaining a healthy gut environment is a prerequisite for sustainable animal production. The gut has a key role in the digestion and absorption of nutrients and constitutes the first system exposed to external factors that can influence animal health. Natural additives have been investigated in terms of feeding value but effects on gut physiology, e.g. intestinal microbial populations and electrophysiology, to benefit gut health are not yet well known. Therefore, the aim of the project is to identify possible alterations in the gut health in response to the supplemented feed additive. Thus, the announced diploma thesis provides an excellent opportunity to be acquainted with techniques such as histopathology, Ussing chamber and real-time PCR.

Requirements:

Theoretical knowledge on nutrition and physiology

Further information:

PCR and classical histological techniques will be performed in this project

Key data of the thesis:

• Duration of thesis: 3-6 months
• Start: as soon as possible
• Language of thesis: English

Key data of the organisational unit:

• Institute: Unit for Poultry Medicine
• Contact: Dr. Wageha Awad
  Send E-Mail to Wageha Awad
• T +43 1 25077-4732

(Online since 21.02.2020)

Short description of the thesis:

From late 2018 until the end of 2019, many fowlpox outbreaks took place in chicken and turkey farms in Austria, affecting markedly the performance of the flocks. It is known that fowlpoxviruses can persist in the environment and that birds can get infected by inhalation or ingestion of contaminated dust or aerosols. Thus, the announced diploma thesis provides an excellent opportunity to be acquainted with techniques such as viral isolation and histopathology, which will be used to investigate dust samples from affected flocks.

Requirements:

From late 2018 until the end of 2019, many fowlpox outbreaks took place in chicken and turkey farms in Austria, affecting markedly the performance of the flocks. It is known that fowlpoxviruses can persist in the environment and that birds can get infected by inhalation or ingestion of contaminated dust or aerosols. Thus, the announced diploma thesis provides an excellent opportunity to be acquainted with techniques such as viral isolation and histopathology, which will be used to investigate dust samples from affected flocks.

Further information:

In-vitro viral replication and classical histological techniques will be performed in this project.

Key data of the thesis:

• Duration of the thesis: 3-5 months
• Start: as soon as possible
• Language of the thesis: English

Key data of the organisational unit:

• Organisational Unit: Unit for Poultry Medicine
• Contact person: Dr. Miguel Matos
  Send E-Mail to Miguel Matos
  T +43 1 25077-4734

(Online since 21.02.2020)

Short description of the thesis:

Inclusion body hepatitis (IBH), caused by fowl adenoviruses, is an economically important disease reported in chicken flocks worldwide. There are so far no licensed commercial vaccines against the disease. Ongoing research at the Clinic for Poultry, and the associated Christian Doppler Laboratory for Innovative Poultry Vaccines (IPOV), is therefore dedicated to the development of subunit vaccines to prevent IBH. This project focuses on the investigation of samples collected during a recently performed animal study, in which a new IBH subunit vaccine, and its cross-protective potential against different fowl adenovirus serotypes, was tested.

Requirements:

Theoretical knowledge of basic molecular biology, veterinary virology and pathology.

Further information:

We are looking for an ambitious candidate with interest in learning and applying histopathological and molecular techniques (processing of organ/tissue samples for subsequent microscopical analysis, viral isolation, real-time PCR). The acquired data will contribute to assess the efficacy of the tested vaccine.

Key data of the thesis:

• Duration of the thesis: 4-6 months
• Start: as soon as possible
• Language of the thesis: English

Key data of the organisational unit:

• Organisational Unit: Unit for Poultry Medicine
• Contact person: Dr. Anna Schachner
  Send E-Mail to Anna Schachner
  T +43 1 25077-4727