Profile

The main purpose of the research group is to provide new knowledge on the natural microflora of the gastrointestinal tract as well as nutritional factors influencing the development and function of the gastrointestinal tract and its resistance to infections. The aim is thereby to make production of farm animals possible without use of medication and high amounts of copper and zinc, without excretion of zoonotic bacteria and with a minimum impact on the environment.

The core research areas of the group are to

• Provide basic knowledge on the composition, function and development of the natural gastrointestinal tract microflora and its interaction with other important factors related to gastrointestinal health such as development and function of the intestinal mucous membrane, structure of the mucus layer and the local immune system.
• Design feed and develop feeding strategies that – by optimizing the microbial ecosystem in the gastrointestinal tract – ensure the development of a healthy intestine and permit production of farm animals without medication and extrection of zoonotic bacteria.
• Optimize the microbial metabolism in feed and digestive tract to ensure an efficient feed utilization and a limited impact on the environment.