Project: Heisenberg Program

On November 9, 2023  Kathrin Theissinger was awarded to join the Heisenberg Programme of the German Research Foundation DFG with her research project entitled;

“Molecules, species and environment: key factors shaping interactions of freshwater crayfish and their invasive disease crayfish plague”

In this research project, we want to further infer the molecular mechanisms of pathogen virulence and host resistance shaping host-pathogen coevolution, for developing a multi-omics rescue plan for the conservation of European freshwater crayfish and the functioning of freshwater ecosystems in Europe. We use our collection of live crayfish plague strains of varying virulence for in vitro approaches and controlled infection experiments. Coupled with multi-omic methods we then characterize the pathogen toxins and host immune genes, encoding particularly immune related effector molecules such as antimicrobial peptides, to infer pathogen virulence and host resistance mechanisms under host-pathogen coevolution in freshwater crayfish. Furthermore, we test in vitro and in vivo the influence of temperature stress on the virulence of the crayfish plague disease agent and the immune status of the crayfish, for developing sustainable management strategies in the context of ongoing climate change. Finally, we use transgenerational immune priming of female crayfish to test whether epigenetic mechanisms can transfer an increased disease resistance to the offspring. The longer-term vision is to develop an oral vaccine in form of customized feed for crayfish that makes them more tolerant against the crayfish plague. The breeding of crayfish plague tolerant crayfish will enable conservation initiatives to restock native crayfish in waterbodies inhabited by invasive crayfish carrying the crayfish plague, which will be a milestone for sustainable disease control and conservation of this threatened species.

Find out more: 

Link to CrayTGIP

Link to ClimpHIT