AG Dr. habil. Kathrin Theissinger

Freshwater Conservation Genomics

Heisenberg Group Leader: Dr. habil. Kathrin Theissinger

Our team applies genetic and genomic methods as a tool to enable a better understanding and management of natural populations, particularly with regard to biodiversity conservation, population dynamics and invasive species management in a wide variety of freshwater species. We are investigating the evolution of interspecific interactions, biodiversity and ecological communities of freshwaters under anthropogenic influence. One of our main focuses is to study evolutionary and ecological processes mediated by parasitism and host-pathogen coevolution in aquatic ecosystems. We are also investigating the functional consequences of evolutionary changes at different biological levels, from cell to organism to ecosystems.

In my DFG Heisenberg project, we want to deepen our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of pathogen virulence and host resistance shaping host-pathogen coevolution, for developing a multi-omics rescue plan for the conservation of European freshwater crayfish and the functioning of freshwater ecosystems in Europe. We use our collection of live crayfish plague strains of varying virulence for in vitro approaches and controlled infection experiments. Coupled with multi-omic methods we then characterize the pathogen toxins and host immune genes, encoding particularly immune related effector molecules such as antimicrobial peptides, to infer pathogen virulence and host resistance mechanisms under host-pathogen coevolution in freshwater crayfish. Furthermore, we test in vitro the influence of temperature stress on the virulence of the crayfish plague disease agent and the immune status of the crayfish, for developing sustainable management strategies in the context of ongoing climate change. My longer-term research vision is to develop a vaccine in form of customized feed for crayfish that makes them more tolerant against the crayfish plague by maternal transgenerational immune priming, i.e., an immune memory that is passed on from mother to the F1 generation. Such novel crayfish diet will not only be important for conservation and management, but also for the aquaculture economy as a resourceful and cost-efficient alternative to antibiotic treatment.

For more information about our team and projects, please click here:

https://freshwaterconservationgenomics.wordpress.com/

https://emysr.cnrs.fr/

Composition of the working group:

Dr. habil. Kathrin Theissinger (group leader)

Sabrina Stiehler (lab technician)

M.Sc. Ljudevit Luka Boštjančić (PhD candidate)

M.Sc. Lena Bonassin (PhD candidate)

M.Sc. Christelle Rutz (PhD candidate)

M.Sc. / M.Ed. Johannes Meka (PhD candidate)

M.Sc. Kari-Anne van der Zon (PhD candidate)

Doktoranden

Ljudevit Luka Boštjančić (M.Sc.)

Johannes Meka (M.Sc.)