It is the aim of many studies to positively influence the immune system of animals by supplementation with certain feed stuffs and –additives. However, it is not always clear, which immunological reaction can be viewed as positive and go along with reduced disease outbreak during growth of animals.

The immune system of many pet- and farm animal species is much less studied than that of mice and men. At the Institute of Animal Nutrition, we investigate the humoral and cell-associated immune reaction in pigs and dogs/ cats. Here, the mucosal immune system is a special point of research focus. Applied methods include ELISA, flow cytometry, magnetic cell sorting, gene expression (PCR, sequencing, RNA chip).