Picture: a view of an imaging lab
© EIMI/P. Leßmann

Preclinical Imaging Lab (Dr. Sven Hermann)

We develop and evaluate new tracers for diagnostic molecular imaging of inflammation and infection using positron emission tomography (PET), single-photon emission tomography (SPECT), fluorescence reflectance imaging (FRI) and photoacoustic imaging. We focus on the molecular targets Matrix-Metalloproteinases and Alarmins S100A8/S100A9 in order to visualise local inflammatory processes in the fields of cardiovascular diseases – in particular atherosclerosis and postischemic myocardium – as well as autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, we work on the development of bacteria-specific imaging by targeting specific transporters in the bacteria wall.

  • Team

  • Projects

    © Nina Knubel

    Role of S100A8/A9 dimers and tetramers in the regulation of neutrophil dynamics in chronic inflammation

    The aim of this project is to better understand how neutrophils are controlled to prevent un-wanted immune system activation. We hypothesize that S100A8/A9 with its two occurring quaternary structures dimer versus tetramer differentially modulate neutrophils, with tetramers keeping them in a silent but alert mode upon activation, thereby locally confining neutrophil activity. A better understanding of these regulatory mechanisms and how they can be tuned will pave the way towards novel therapeutic interventions in inflammatory neutrophil-driven diseases.

    Principal investigators: Sven Hermann (EIMI), Thomas Vogl
    Project term: 07/2022 - 06/2026
    Project number: TRR332 – C07 | DFG Transregional Collaborative Research Centre TRR332 “Neutrophils: origin, fate & function”

    © EIMI

    Imaging of inflammatory and regulatory mechanisms in arthritis

    Immune-regulatory mechanisms limiting immunological responses are promising new therapeutic targets for chronic autoinflammatory diseases. We investigate to what extent the alarmin S100A8/A9 reprograms myeloid cells in a negative feedback loop to a regulatory phenotype, in particular immunosuppressive MDSCs, to dampen down the immune response in arthritis.

    Principal investigators: Sven Hermann (EIMI), Thomas Vogl
    Project term: 01/2025 - 12/2028
    Project number: CRC1450 – C03 | DFG Collaborative Research Centre 1450 “inSight – Multiscale imaging of organ-specific inflammation”

     

    Distribution of immune cells in the body of a mouse, imaged with optical imaging
    © S. Gran & L. Honold et al./Theranostics 2018(8)

    Immune-Image

    In this project, we develop methods for monitoring immune cells before, during and after immune treatment. Initially, we will look at these processes in animal models for different diseases – with the aim of translating the results and methods to patients mid-term enabling us to establish image-guided immunotherapies with improved efficacy in diseases such as cancer or inflammation.

    Coordinator: Albert D. Windhorst (Amsterdam University Medical Centre, the Netherlands)
    EIMI members involved as partners: Michael Schäfers, Andreas Jacobs, Andreas Faust, Sven Hermann, Friedemann Kiefer, Sabine Stötzer
    Project term: 10/2019 - 03/2026
    Project number: Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking, grant agreement No 831514

    Preclinical Imaging eXperts (PIX)

    The Core Unit "Preclinical Imaging eXperts" (PIX) of the Interdisciplinary Centre for Clinical Research (IZKF) provides access to multimodal imaging technologies for cooperative research in a highly integrated structure. In the frame of PIX, our lab offers nuclear imaging SPECT and PET in combination with CT or MRI (1T), optical imaging, and photoacoustic imaging.

    Coordinators: Sven Hermann (EIMI), Michael Schäfers (EIMI)
    Project term: seit 01/2012
    Project funding: IZKF Core Unit PIX | Medical Faculty, University of Münster

  • Publications