Our Research Group represents radiologists, basic researchers and trainees from various backgrounds. We develop non-invasive cellular imaging techniques that can generate detailed information about specific cells in the body. The ultimate goal of this research is to diagnose early disease before it becomes symptomatic, to determine tumor characteristics which are linked to poor prognosis, to monitor tumor cell-targeted therapies and to monitor stem cell therapies that regenerate physiologic cell populations.

Cancer Imaging: Currently, tumor staging and re-staging involves acquiring and repeating a series of diagnostic tests, which are time-consuming, cause direct and indirect accumulated expenses and accumulated radiation exposures. The ultimate goal of our cancer research is to develop one single, tumor-tailored diagnostic test, which could provide a comprehensive tumor detection, a specific characterization of benign and malignant lesions and real-time diagnosis of a response or failure to treatment.

Stem Cell Imaging: Stem Cell therapies hold hopes for cure of a large variety of diseases, such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, diabetes, cardiac failure as well as bone and muscle damage, among many others. One major obstacle to successful outcomes of stem cell therapies is cell loss from the transplant site due to cell efflux, immune rejection, necrosis or apoptosis. A direct visualization of the transplanted cells with cellular imaging techniques can help to improve non-invasive longitudinal monitoring of stem cell transplants and develop early surrogate imaging criteria for successful stem cell engraftment outcomes. The ultimate goal of our stem cell research is to develop a clinically applicable, non-invasive imaging test for long-term tracking of stem cell transplants in various target organs and to develop “smart” labels which allow conclusions about the viability and in vivo differentiation of the transplanted cells.

Teaching: Our research group has a strong focus on teaching and mentoring young researchers. We provide Radiology residents and clinical fellows with research opportunities, train postdoctoral fellows from various backgrounds, provide medical students with projects for research electives, participate in High School internship programs and in a Teaching Collaboration with the Bavaria-California Technology Center. Our students and fellows continue to receive outstanding recognition and awards for their projects. Our goal is to provide our scholars with key skills, motivation and inspiration for a successful academic career.

Our Research Vision
To bring cell-specific tumor and stem cell imaging techniques to the clinic
and
To foster excellence, teamwork and integrity in a supportive, creative and healthy environment.