Understanding the role of migratory birds as vectors of zoonotic arthropod-borne diseases

 

Benefitting from an increase in global temperatures, increased global travelling and transportation, and an increase in vector densities, arthropod-borne diseases are expanding their distribution areas, and are associated with an increase in number of reported cases. We combine widespread surveillance of arboviruses in avian hosts and arthropod vectors, with in-depth virological and ecological studies to investigate the probability of introduction and establishment of novel diseases, their impact on host population dynamics and the role of novel, local arthropod vectors on disease transmission. We use the recent emergence of Usutu virus in the Netherlands as a model to study the implications of the establishment of a novel tropical virus in the temperate zone.

This project is part of the ZonMw program Eco-alert.

Principal Investigator: Henk van der Jeugd 

Project partners: Erasmus Medical Centre, Wageningen University, RIVM.

 

The fish egg microbiome: functions and impact on emerging diseases

Our aims are 

  • deciphering the molecular and biochemical activities of bacterial consortia on fish pathogens and
  • investigating the effect of the bacterial consortia on the fish immune response

This project will provide new insight into the functions and impact of the fish microbiome on emerging diseases.

Principle Investigator: Irene de Bruijn 

 

Project: SAPROFEED : Increasing Crop Health by Managing Natural Microbial Interactions

Project description: The projects aims to enhance natural biocontrol of root-infecting fungi by stimulating saprotrophic fungi. This stimulation is expected to result in a more intense competition between bacteria and fungi for root exudates. As a result, rhizobacteria with antifungal properties will increase thereby establishing a natural shield against (pathogenic) fungi.

Principle Investigator: Wietse de Boer

Project partners: WUR Business Unit Biointeractions & Plant Health, Bejo, Ecostyle, Joordens

 

Assessing the role of fungal parasites of phytoplankton in the aquatic interaction network

Parasitism has generally been neglected in ecological network research, even though recent studies have shown that parasites can add substantial biomass, diversity and complexity to food-webs, suggesting that parasites may actually have positive effects on the community level. We combine time series analysis of host-parasite dynamics using the long-term monitoring data of the LTER-site Müggelsee (DE) with laboratory experiments on how parasitism affects the outcome of producer resource competition and whether producer species richness and evenness reduces parasite transmission success (dilution effect).

This project has been funded by the NWO Innovational Research Incentives Scheme Veni.

Project partners: IGB-Berlin
Principal Investigator: Alena S Gsell