Research Focus
Our research focuses on three main areas:
Technical Development
We strive to innovate and optimize quantitative MRI techniques to enhance their accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. By pushing the boundaries of imaging technology, we aim to unlock new insights into biological processes and disease mechanisms.
Validation Studies
Rigorous validation is crucial for ensuring the clinical utility and reliability of quantitative MRI methods. We conduct comprehensive validation studies using phantom experiments, post mortem experiments, and clinical cohorts to establish the accuracy and reproducibility of our imaging protocols.
Clinical Applications
Ultimately, our goal is to translate our research findings into clinical practice to benefit patients. We collaborate closely with clinicians to apply quantitative MRI in various medical specialties.
Specific selected research projects
Influence of tissue anisotropy in quantitative brain MRI (FWF-funded project)
MRI images of the brain are influenced by the orientation of nerve fibers relative to the MRI’s magnetic field. This direction-dependent effect, called anisotropy, can mimic diease-related changes in MRI. Unfortunately, our understanding of how tissue composition and anisotropy influence quantitative MRI is limited. This lack of knowledge has become a major problem in the clinical application of quantitative MRI. The aim of this project is to combine various investigations, such as quantitative MRI post-mortem and in vivo, as well as histological and biochemical analyses, to uncover the origins of anisotropy in quantitative MRI and pave the way for its clinical application.
Validation of quantitative MRI for iron and myelin
A strong focus in our research is the development, validation and application of quantitative MRI techniques for measuring iron and myelin in the human brain. In this context we closely collaborate with project partners on performing post mortem MRI validation studies. Therefore we perform advanced histological analysis, mass spectrometry, superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometry, Raman microscopy, among others, on brain tissue subsequent to MRI. This allows us to correlate quantitative MRI parameters with underlying tissue components, such as iron or myelin content.
Quantitative MRI in brain tissue with extreme iron overload
This project focuses on the quantification of iron content in brain tissue with an extreme iron overload such as in patients with aceruloplasminemia. One endeavor is to compare various algorithms for R2* mapping and Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping in situations where there are extreme iron deposits. The aim is to determine how such extreme iron deposits can best be measured using quantitative MRI.
Biophysical modeling of iron effecting quantitative MRI
Iron can exist in different forms in the brain. However, most quantitative MRI methods can only measure a change in total iron concentration. The goal of this project is to determine the influence of different forms of iron on quantitative MRI parameters and to develop a biophysical model which describes the complex magnetical properties of brain tissue with iron compounds.