Projects / Programmes
Animal health, environment and food safety
January 1, 2020
- December 31, 2027
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 4.04.00 |
Biotechnical sciences |
Veterinarian medicine |
|
| 4.03.00 |
Biotechnical sciences |
Plant production |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B000 |
Biomedical sciences |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 4.03 |
Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences |
Veterinary science |
| 4.01 |
Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences |
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries |
animal health, environment, food safety, infectious diseases, new pathogens, vectors, foodborne zoonoses, biofilm forming capacity, insects as a source of proteins, pets, indicators of environment contamination, bees and wild pollinators, animal welfare, diagnostics, metagenomics
Data for the last 5 years (citations for the last 10 years) on
April 24, 2024;
A3 for period
2018-2022
| Database |
Linked records |
Citations |
Pure citations |
Average pure citations |
| WoS |
836 |
10,997 |
10,006 |
11.97 |
| Scopus |
959 |
12,756 |
11,617 |
12.11 |
Researchers (84)
Organisations (3)
Abstract
Interdisciplinary work within the research program will be conducted through six projects linked to animal health, environment and food safety.
Surveillance of the causative agents of animal infectious diseases will complement our past research. Next generation sequencing will be the core research method in this field, with the focus on the whole genome analysis. This state-of-the-art typing method with the ultimate discriminatory power will enable rapid detection, characterization and phylogenetic analysis of currently present and emerging pathogens. Metagenomics of animal clinical samples will be a step further towards improved understanding of the aetiology of certain diseases. Innovative sampling methods will be implemented, along with studying vector-borne diseases which are gaining importance due to climate change.
Numerous microbes are responsible for food- and waterborne infections which can be easily transmitted and constitute a global health problem. Infection control is hampered by the presence of microbes in diverse animal species and the persistence in the environment. We will study the presence of certain pathogens from farm to fork, their genetic characteristics and biofilm forming capacity. The possibility of using alternative agents and methods to decrease the bacterial load in the environment, host and food will be investigated. We will also study microbiological, chemical and environmental risks represented by the use of insects as a promising source of proteins in animal and human nutrition.
Pet animals may transmit diverse infectious diseases to other animals and humans. The prevalence of multidrug resistant bacteria and parasites in pets will be investigated. Our goal is also to study free-range animals and plants as bioindicators of environmental contamination caused by endocrine disrupting chemicals, rodenticides and toxic heavy metals which may present a risk for human health in the case of consumption.
For sustainable food production and the preservation of biodiversity in the environment, pollinators are urgently needed. The knowledge of disease transmission routes between honeybees and wild pollinators is the key for preventing and containing the disease; thus, we will detect the presence of certain pathogens and study the transmission between the pollinators. We will also evaluate the impact of acaricides to microbiota, the resistance to acaricides and assess the presence of toxic substances in bee products.
Care for animal welfare is a moral obligation contributing to a better life for the animals in the least possible stressful environment. Non-invasive methods to detect infectious and metabolic diseases will be studied, along with monitoring the indicators of the oxidative stress. The research will also involve studying various forms of conflict behavior in farm animals, equine welfare focused on Slovenian breeds, tumor diseases and the impact of grazing on the abundance of microbes in pasture soil and cattle feces.
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Significance for science
Monitoring the animal infectious diseases and novel pathogens, studying the alimentary zoonoses, the importance of pet animals for health and environment, the impact of environmental pollution, the health of pollinators and the animal welfare includes the research program into the fundamental scientific orientation and development of the Veterinary Faculty. Also, this is complemented by scientific research of other organizations implementing the research program (Biotechnical Faculty, Faculty of Health Sciences). The research program group performs basic scientific research, which is extremely important for the development of science and represents the starting point for planning and implementation of applicative research. With the obtained results we contribute to the advancement of veterinary medicine in Slovenia and internationally and successfully transfer the basic theoretical knowledge into practice, i.e. into the optimization and development of diagnostic methods for faster control and eradication of animal diseases, ensuring food safety and health of consumers, and sustainable use of environmental resources. From our research laboratories new findings are transferred to other institutions within the European Union and globally, also through close connections between the national reference laboratories and EU reference laboratories, thus contributing to the recognition of Slovenian science.
By using rapid and innovative sampling methods, we will obtain important data on the presence, properties and persistence of the most important pathogenic microbes in susceptible species of animals, including pet animals, and in the environment, with the emphasis on the use of non-invasive methods for ensuring animal welfare. The concern for the latter is obligation of all those involved in animals, including in the poultry and pig farms which are characterized by multiple health problems. The use of next-generation sequencing (NGS) with the emphasis whole-genome sequencing (WGS) as the most discriminatory typing method, enables us to perform state-of-the-art scientific research and thereby to be involved in the European/global scientific environment. With WGS-typing of selected pathogens in animals, foods and environment, we can participate in the process of establishing an international database of pathogens that is already underway and is necessary for rapid epidemiological action in the case of human infection outbreaks caused by zoonotic agents. The NGS method will also enable us to comprehensively study the genetic characteristics of individual pathogens and to identify microbial communities in different ecosystems, which represents the broadest scientific approach to studying the causes of the disease. Data on the resistance to antimicrobial drugs and desinfectants, which is growing without control and represents one of the biggest threats to the assurance of health in the future, are an important scientific contribution on a global scale.
We are also involved in the research on honey bees and wild pollinators, which represents a major contribution to science globally as studies are planned on topics that are generally not yet well researched (ways of disease spreading, pathogenesis, influence of drugs and pesticides, transmission of toxic substances in honey-bee products, possibilities for improving the health condition and survival of pollinators). We also investigate the effects of the endocrine disruptor bisphenol A, heavy metals and rodenticides, and their impact on ecosystems, which is of great importance for ensuring the health of animals and humans and for the protection of the environment.
The up-to-date of the research problem enables us to participate in domestic and international research projects and networking with the top-level research institutions. The result of the involvement of research program in the international cooperation are the high-profile joint publications, the organization of international scient
Significance for the country
One of the priorities of the research program is to intensely connect research institutions with the economy, as the obtained results will contribute to new adaptations and improvements in animal production and within the food processing industry, in Slovenia and abroad. It will enable better international recognition of the Slovenian economy and its contribution to the global concept of One Health. Improvements will lead to increased competitiveness and improvement in providing high quality and safe food, which will be available to Slovenian consumers and for export. Through care for animal welfare and based on the established links between persistence or characteristics of bacteria and breeding technology, we will find optimal solutions at the level of breeding in order to prevent animal diseases and by reducing the possibility of pathogen transfer to the human food chain. In addition, prevention of animal diseases is also beneficial in terms of reducing the consumption of antimicrobials for animal treatment, thereby preventing the development of resistant bacterial populations and the environmental burden with antimicrobials.
Detection of pathogens in food and prevention of food spoilage has a significant sociological and economic impact, as well as an effect on public health care. The purpose of the latter is a decrease in the number of infections in humans and the ability to use alternative, environmentally friendly methods to lower numbers of bacteria in the environment, in animals, and in food. Furthermore, pathogen detection can prevent increased antimicrobial resistance to the most common disinfectants and therapeutics used for treatment in humans and animals. Knowledge of the prevalence of antimicrobial resistant bacteria is necessary for the determination of guidelines for rational use of antimicrobial substances in intensive farming systems. Studies on BPA, SGAR, and heavy metals will contribute to health improvement, improvement of animal and human welfare, and will lead to the protection of the environment and natural heritage (phytoremediation).
Apart from scientific contributions, the project will also have a positive impact on apicultural and farming activity at the international level. Knowledge about the dynamics and pathogenesis of viral diseases as well as the potential negative effect of drugs on the health of domestic bees in combination with the determination of antimicrobial resistance will lower losses in bee farming. Preservation of various and multiple pollinators in the environment enables more successful pollination and therefore improvement in food production sustainability and land biodiversity. Preservation of bee farming and apiculture as a leisure, non-profit activity has a significant social and cultural impact, especially in the elderly population and for individuals with special needs. Apiculture played an important role in ancient Slovenian architecture (beehives), traditional art (painted bee hive frames), and in local cuisine (gingerbread).
The strategy of the European Commission is to improve the welfare and living conditions of farm animals, companion animals, animals used for sports, therapeutic animals, experimental animals, wild animals, and animals in captivity. The concept of five basic animal welfare needs identifies topics on pain, injuries, and diseases as most important. Intensive farming systems can cause an eruption of several etopathies and technopathies that negatively affect animal health and welfare. Care for animal welfare is a moral obligation contributing to a better life for the animals in the least possible stressful environment. A long term positive effect is the economic improvement in animal breeding and sustainable farming. Sustainability and preservation of natural resources are crucial for further generations, and will ensure that Slovenian native breeds survive. Local animal breeds play a significant role in genomic diversity, and local farmers will be suppo
