In the spotlight: David Flossdorf, Researcher at ABG

Last time, Coralia Manzanilla Pech shared a bit about her background and her work for ABG. This time we asked David Flossdorf, researcher at ABG, about his work and research activities. (And his hobbies, of course.)

Hello David, could you perhaps introduce yourself and share a
bit about the work you do for ABG?

My name is David Flossdorf, and I’m a researcher at the Animal Breeding and
Genomics group (ABG). I grew up in Germany, where I completed my BSc and MSc at Heinrich Heine University in Düsseldorf. After that, I finished a PhD at Massey University in New Zealand. At ABG, I primarily work on generating and analyzing microbiome data, usually in the context of animal breeding. I also have experience with transcriptomics, cell culture, and immunology, which is why I am also involved with projects on organoids (lab-grown cell structures that simulate parts of an organ to reduce the need for animal experiments).

How and when did you start at ABG? And where did you work before you came to Wageningen University & Research (WUR)?

I joined ABG in 2022. Before that, I worked at Koru Biotech, a small pharmaceutical company in New Zealand, where I developed disease detection methods for animals. Although I really enjoyed both the work and life in New
Zealand, I eventually wanted to be closer to my family in Europe. That’s when I came across this opportunity at WUR.

I'm curious, what sparked your interest in genetics and/or animal breeding? Or animal sciences in general?

My fascination with animals started early, one of my first memories is keeping a little woodlouse farm in my parents’ garden. Over time, I became increasingly intrigued by how tiny microorganisms can have a massive impact on much larger organisms. That curiosity has stayed with me and is something I’m fortunate to explore in my current work.

What motivates you in your work? What gives you energy?

The excitement of discovering new things is a big motivator for me. Those moments when data reveals something new or unexpected. I find it very rewarding to explore the complex relationships between genetics, microbiomes, and animal outcomes, and to contribute to a deeper understanding of how these systems interact. Further, the global demand for food is increasing, and doing research that supports more sustainable production of high quality food is a great motivator for me.

Can you share some information about a project that you are currently working on? Something that you're proud of?

Right now, we’re working on large-scale projects aimed at reducing methane emissions in cattle by modulating the rumen microbiome through selective breeding. It’s an exciting and highly collaborative effort involving partners from around the world. In these projects, we’re collecting genomic, methane emission, and rumen microbiome data from thousands of cattle globally. This dataset will allow us to achieve a new level of accuracy in identifying which components of the microbiome are heritable and which are linked to methane production. Ultimately, this work will enhance our ability to breed cattle with lower methane emissions more accurately than ever before, contributing to more sustainable livestock farming on a global scale. That’s why I believe it truly deserves to be in the spotlight.

On a more personal note, what are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

In my free time, I’ve been passionate about climbing both indoors and outdoors for many years. I sometimes compete and occasionally take on roles as a trainer or route setter. Besides climbing, I enjoy being outdoors in general, whether it’s
hiking, traveling, or surfing.

Final question, who would you like to nominate for the next interview in this series?

Ithink this is a great format to get to know the people behind the work at our department! I’d like to nominate my colleague Matias Florian Schrauf Garcia. He has interesting insights into genomic prediction and a fascinating life path that brought him to ABG which is perfect for this series.