One focus at the EIMI is the design and the chemical synthesis of new target-specific tracers, which will allow visualization not only of inflammatory processes – in particular in vascular, auto-immune diseases and tumors – but also of bacterial infections. To do so, we use scintigraphic and optical imaging methods. In parallel, we continue to improve the technical methods of molecular imaging. Our aim is to translate novel insights and imaging strategies from disease models into patients – for innovative clinical diagnostics and therapies.
Our team studies the development and pathological scenarios of the vascular system. For example, we investigate how the lymphatic system develops, acquires and maintains its characteristic properties, how tumour vessels grow and how immune cells behave in chronic inflammatory settings. For this purpose, we develop and apply state-of-the-art microscopy, which enable us to generate three-dimensional images of vessels in tissue and to observe processes intravitally, i.e. dynamically in a living organism. Another focus is the refinement of existing and development of novel disease models.
