Research

Research – curiosity and benefit

Simplified application process for vaccines, germ reduction in dairy operations – our research projects search for answers to questions from veterinary medicine and daily agricultural life. We could not fulfil our intention to improve our products and services continually if it weren't for our customers and clients. They are the ones who often bring certain issues to our attention during discussions.

Other important inspiration comes from our research partners – progressive institutes that are at the cutting edge of their disciplines and who open up innovative technologies to us. The fact that we were one of the first veterinary laboratories to identify micro-organisms using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry is down to one of these collaborations. That is how daily needs, lab realities and an enthusiasm for research result in innovative solutions with a high return.

Our research projects

ReMuNa– Reduction of multi-resistant bacteria in dairy production

A new process to reduce the germ load on surfaces in dairy operations is intended to ensure that fewer pathogens can enter cows' udders. This would reduce the frequency of mastitis infections and, in turn, reduce the need for antibiotic treatment. The germ reduction is achieved by means of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) deployed to ensure that multi-resistance to antibiotics is not promoted further. For direct evaluation, we are also developing methods in parallel to detect biofilms.

Partners: Free University of Berlin, University of Freiburg, bovicare GmbH, ILBC GmbH, Fraunhofer IZI

InnoVAK4DART – Innovative vaccines administered more simply

Within this project, which was funded by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, we developed livestock-specific vaccines for tailor-made immune prophylaxis of poultry with a simplified application method. The aim was to improve the health of the animals and to make vaccination and repeat vaccination easier and cheaper to perform than before.

Partners: University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, University of Potsdam, Heidemark GmbH, SMB GmbH

BiogasCore – Microbiological examination of biogas plants

A complex and dynamic microflora made of various bacteria and archaea is responsible for the anaerobic breakdown of the biomass to biogas. The micro-organisms involved and their metabolic activity have so far hardly been investigated scientifically.

In a sub-project, we investigated the cultivatable microbiome from biogas plants and recorded their protein-mass spectra in a database. Knowledge of the microbiology of biogas is considered the key to further technical optimisation in biogas production.

Partners: Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), University of Bielefeld, University of Mainz, Hamburg University of Applied Sciences, Technical University of Munich

SAFEfresh – Analysis chain in food microbiology

The subject of this project was combining a rapid detection system for surface germ loads with innovative sterilisation technologies with the aim of increasing hygiene in food production. RIPAC-LABOR contributed to the success of the project with an innovative process based on MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The process allows for monitoring of pathogenic micro-organisms on the surface of fresh and mildly processed plant-based foods within industrial manufacturing.

Partner: Fraunhofer IVV, Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP), Free University of Berlin

AutoBAK

Inoculating, pipetting, labelling: The various repetitive steps required to manufacture livestock-specific vaccines are ripe for automation. The production system being developed here will reduce the monotonous work load carried out by highly qualified personnel. A robot can carry-out these steps quickly and precisely: a barcode system will be used to allow all of the details pertaining to the pathogen strain and the business of origin to be read or assigned at any time.

Partners: Fraunhofer IFF

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RESEARCH

Inspired by practice.