Department of Preclinical Imaging and Radiopharmacy

The brain is the most complex organ in humans. Its primary units, the neurons, communicate with each other and are organized in networks. Characterizing these neuronal circuits is of great interest to science, and the ability to modulate circuit nodes and control neuronal functions using optogenetic tools has revolutionized research. In the research group of Prof. Kristina Herfert, various stimulation techniques are used to investigate their effects on the functional, metabolic, and molecular connectivity of the brain in both healthy and pathological conditions

Immunotherapies currently represent one of the most promising approaches for treating advanced cancers, with the potential to induce long-lasting regression and even cure. Unfortunately, solid tumors respond to these immunotherapies with varying degrees of success. Prof. Bettina Weigelin's research group combines advanced microscopic techniques with state-of-the-art macroscopic imaging to gain mechanistic insights into the kinetics and function of immunotherapies at both the cellular and whole-body level. Visualizing the response of immunotherapy in living tumor tissue over time enables the identification of tissue-specific resistance niches and approaches for improved cancer immunotherapies