Immunometabolism and inflammation

We investigate how the immune system and metabolism interact during physiological challenges, such as heat stress and intramammary mock infections. Using controlled challenge models, we track how nutritional interventions, including vitamin D3 status, omega-3 fatty acids, and other lipids, modulate the inflammatory response and downstream metabolic consequences.

Heat stress physiology

Rising summer temperatures are an increasing threat to dairy cattle productivity and welfare in Germany and beyond. We study the metabolic and endocrine pathways disrupted by heat stress under natural conditions, including interactions with vitamin D, calcium, and antioxidant nutrition, and are developing new research on the physiological limits of heat tolerance in German dairy herds.

Liver physiology and oxidative stress

The liver sits at the center of metabolic adaptation in high-producing animals. We are building an ex vivo precision-cut liver slice (PCLS) platform to study hepatic redox status and nutrient-sensing pathways under controlled conditions, and to screen the metabolic effects of feed additives without requiring live-animal trials for every question. This work spans from cows, pigs, and poultry.

Milk quality and bioactive fatty acids

We examine how diet shapes both the composition (e.g., bioactive lipids) and functional quality of milk, with particular attention to n-3 fatty acids and their oxidative stability. This work connects animal-level physiology to human nutrition and food quality.