Research

In aquatic systems, essential biomolecules such as fatty acids are produced by phytoplankton and then transferred through the food web to zooplankton, fish, and finally humans. Environmental factors have been shown to influence the fatty acid metabolism of microalgae. Thus, temperature rise due to climate change as well as the introduction of xenobiotics such as pesticides can have severe consequences for aquatic organisms. This topic is highly relevant for the Lower Austrian region Waldviertel with its many carp ponds. Therefore, the main aim of this research project, which will be conducted by BEST GmbH, WasserCluster Lunz GmbH, and BOKU, is to investigate the consequences of temperature increase and exposure to pesticides for the dietary value of organisms in carp ponds in Waldviertel. Therefore, samples from such ponds will be analyzed to find xenobiotics, microalgae and zooplankton species present in these ecosystems. In subsequent lab trials, microalgae will be exposed to increased temperature and/or pesticides. Zooplankton will be fed with microalgae that have were grown under these conditions. The fatty acid content and profile of microalgae and zooplankton biomass will then be analyzed. Thus, the effect of temperature increase and pesticide pollution and the combined effect of both on organisms in carp ponds in Waldviertel will be investigated. The project will help understand the interactions between different organisms in the food web and how the organisms’ dietary values are influenced by pesticides and increased temperature. The results will be presented to stakeholders and to a scientific audience at workshops, conferences, and via publications. During this project, young researchers will be supported and networks and cooperations between three independent research institutions in Lower Austria will be strengthened. Overall, the results gained in this project will help sustain the high ecological and economical value of carp ponds in Lower Austria.

To strengthen the BOKU Core Facilities "Bioactive Molecules: Screening and Analysis" (BMOSA) and "Analysis of Lignocellulosics" (ALICE), an ERDF project for the acquisition of new high-performance infrastructure is being submitted to the Federal State of Lower Austria as part of the REACT-EU initiative. The planned purchases in the field of instrumental analytics will ensure that the two core facilities at the Campus Technopol Tulln site can continue to be operated in accordance with state-of-the-art technology in the future. In this way, access to the most modern large-scale equipment infrastructure can be guaranteed for a wide range of users both within BOKU and for third parties in the coming years. The planned investments ensure the continuous further development of the respective working- and research areas of BOKU and thus also sustainably strengthen the Campus Technopol Tulln as a research location.

Zur Untersuchung der molekularen Grundlagen der Pflanze-Mikroorganismen Interaktion haben sich die so genannten „-OMICS“-Techniken als besonders leistungsfähig herausgestellt. For the investigation of the molecular basis of plant-microbe interactions, the so-called "-OMICS" techniques have proven to be particularly powerful. The primary goal of this project is to expand the existing method portfolio for metabolome analysis of plants, microorganisms and their interactions. In particular, many interesting questions have arisen within the framework of the FWF project SFB FUSARIUM (2009-2019). Two of the open scientific questions related to resistance mechanisms of the host will be investigated by directly applying the new methods to Fusarium-treated wheat samples. The new scientific knowledge gained on Fusarium head blight will serve a better understanding of the metabolism of plants under stress. The project will therefore provide novel insight into plant defence mechanisms and can help in the long term to develop new control strategies and measures for sustainable plant protection. Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)