Thema | Vorlesungsreihe - Planetary HealthMonitoring wildlife health as a tool for pandemic prevention |
Datum | Montag, 25.11.2024 |
Uhrzeit | 18:15 Uhr bis 20:00 Uhr |
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Ort |
Zugang über ZOOM: Meeting-ID: 669 6031 9360 Kenncode: m5fPUKzYd |
Inhalt | Long-term observations of wildlife are key to understanding the ecological foundations of disease emergence. They provide unique opportunities to detect pathogens with zoonotic potential that could threaten human health but also pose a threat for the animals. A prime example for such long-term wildlife health surveillance are studies of free-living great apes in their natural habitats. Due to the genetic and physiological similarities between humans and great apes, such studies offer valuable insights into zoonotic pathogens. Thanks to habituation to human presence, the close observation of the wild great apes enables the collection of noninvasive samples like feces, urine, saliva and food remains. Coupled with stringent biosafety protocols for necropsies of animals found dead and the application of state-of-the-art molecular methods like eDNA metabarcoding, this sentinel approach has advanced the detection of zoonotic diseases considerably. It has lead to the discovery of a number of pathogens with the potential for cross-species transmission, including the Taï Forest ebolavirus, a novel type of anthrax-causing bacillus, and the causative agents of leprosy, Mpox and respiratory diseases. Driven by close interdisciplinary collaboration between primatologists and disease ecologists, this sentinel approach offers a "One Health" framework for conservation and human health efforts, which has great potential to contribute to pandemic prevention and preparedness. |
Kontakt |
Admission is free, registration is not necessary. So come join and bring your friends. Establish a routine of meeting every second monday at 6:15 p.m. at the Zentrum für Translationale Zellforschung Breisacher Straße 115, seminar room (00.057), ground floor
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