My project aims to improve the understanding of host-pathogen interactions in animal infection models, including bacterial, viral, and parasitic pathogens. The animal models used in this project include pigs, dogs, fowls, and mice. The project is embedded within the GRK 3051 and is conducted in collaboration with the Technical University of Berlin, the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), and the German Research Foundation (DFG).

The primary focus is the qualitative and quantitative analysis of stress-related biomarkers, with particular emphasis on glucocorticoids, their metabolism, and the characterization of species-specific steroid profiles in plasma samples, as the activation of the stress system in response to infections leads to physiological changes in the steroid profile due to activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. For bioanalysis of the samples, I am using supercritical fluid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (SFC-MS/MS). The collection of additional matrices, including feces, urine, and saliva, offers non-invasive sampling approaches that help to reduce animal stress and welfare burden. The overall aim of these investigations is to refine the infection models and to assess animal welfare in accordance with the 3R principles (Replace, Reduce, Refine).