Prof. Dr. Carsten Fallnich
"No positions via CiM-IMPRS in 2024"
Label-free multimodal microscopy and functional modification of (intra-) cellular structures
Biophysics
Development
Imaging Technology
Label-free microscopy enables in-vivo investigations in three dimensions on individual cells and cell clusters. For instance coherent anti-Stokes Raman (CARS) microscopy – sometimes also called vibrational microscopy – allows the exploitation of a chemical contrast without probably toxic or metabolism-modifying molecule-specific labels (see figure). Within this project the available CARS microscope will be extended to different modalities, e.g., to use simultaneously different contrast mechanisms besides CARS or SRS (stimulated Raman scattering) like SHG/THG (second/third harmonic generation) as well as TPA (two-photon absorption). In order to increase the image acquisition up to video frame rate the multimodal detection system and the raster scanning mechanism have to be improved, e.g. by multiplexed detection schemes. Additional investigations on sub-diffraction-limited resolution and higher chemical specificity by using optical light modulators for shaping of ultrafast light pulses in space and time as well as precision inner-cell surgery for modifying cell functionality will be performed.
Vita
- 1986 - 1992: Studies of Physics, University of Hannover
- 1992 - 1995: Graduation (Dr. rer. nat.), University of Kaiserslautern
- 1996 - 1997: Project Leader, BremLas Lasertechnik Bremen GmbH
- 1997: Research Assistant, Laserzentrum Hannover e.V. (LZH)
- 1997 - 2005: Head of Laser Development Department, LZH
- 2004: Habilitation (in Physics), University of Hannover
- 2005 - 2006: Head of Optical Technologies Department, PTB Braunschweig
- Since 2006: Full Professor for Applied Physics, University of Münster
- Since 2014: Professor for Ultrafast Photonic Technologies, University of Twente
Selected references
Würthwein T, Irwin N, Fallnich C. 2019. ‘Saturated Raman Scattering for Sub-Diffraction-Limited Imaging.’ The Journal of Chemical Physics 151, No. 19: 194201. doi: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5128874.
Brinkmann M, Fast A, Hellwig T, Pence I, Conor E, Fallnich C. 2019. ‘Portable all-fiber dual-output widely tunable light source for coherent Raman imaging.’ Biomedical Optics Express 10, No. 9: 4437-4449. doi: 10.1364/BOE.10.004437.
Rieger S, Würthwein T, Sparenberg K, Boller K-J, Fallnich C. 2018. ‘Density matrix study of ground state depletion towards sub-diffraction-limited spontaneous Raman scattering spectroscopy.’ The Journal of Chemical Physics 148, No. 20: 204110. doi: https://doi.org/10.1063/1.5009278.
Rieger S., Grill D., Gerke V., Fallnich C. 2017. ‘Quantitative spontaneous Raman scattering spectroscopy in artificial binary lipid membranes.’ Journal of Raman Spectroscopy 48, No. 10: 1264-1269. doi: 10.1002/jrs.5205.
Würthwein T, Brinkmann M, Hellwig T, Fallnich C. 2017. ‘Rapid spectro-polarimetry to probe molecular symmetry in multiplex coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering.’ The Journal of Chemical Physics 147, No. 19: 194201. doi: 10.1063/1.5003564.