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The `Experimental Radiology` Research Group focuses on basic radiological research combined with an experimental focus in a wet lab. In line with Translational Research, our group aims to provide a substantial contribution to optimise and improve the clinical radiological routine process for the patients. The Experimental Radiology Research Group is currently developing the following projects:
Contrast Agent Safety
Patients with a history of a previous hypersensitivity reaction to contrast media are at increased risk to acquire again an adverse reaction. In order to minimise this risk a personalized in vitro diagnosis is made, allowing us to determine the patients’ individual reactivity towards different contrast agents. The results can then be used as a basis to the radiological routine decision-making process.
Contact/project lead: Ingrid Böhm
DNA double-strand breaks (DSB)
DSB-analyses have been used in diagnostic radiology as a genotoxicity measure. Whereby, the γH2Ax-determination method by fluorescence microscopy has been mainly applied. We are working on the improvement of this method and its application in patients, with the long term aim of optimising the diagnostic individual radiation dose.
Contact/project lead: Nico Ruprecht (Lab), Johannes Heverhagen or Ingrid Böhm (Clinical)
Imaging Phantoms
Phantom models are being designed and produced for in vitro testing of contrast agents’ effects in Imaging (Magnetic Resonance Tomography and Computed Tomography). The phantom models allow a more objective and patient friendly evaluation regarding contrast agents’ imaging effects, blood and air flow, diffusion properties, and interventional tissue samplings.
Contact/project lead: Hendrik von Tengg-Kobligk or Johannes Heverhagen
Tumors’ chemoresponse
Development and translation of ex vivo test protocols to enable realistic predictions of chemoresponse in the context of combination chemotherapy of lung cancer. Further tumor entities are being included.
Contact/project lead: Hendrik von Tengg-Kobligk
Tumor Cell Cluster Merger
A novel manifestation of tumor cell invasiveness, termed mutual cellular pervasion (MCP), has recently been identified by our group. It involves tumor cell clusters (TCCs) formed by small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cells in vitro.
TCCs enlarge through both cell proliferation and serial cluster mergers. TCC merger involves mutual cellular penetration of the involved TCC surfaces, i.e. MCP. Contrary to the invasion of tumor cells into non-tumor tissue, pervasion does not lead to tissue destruction but results in TCC growth.
Contact/project lead: Nico Ruprecht (lab) or Christof Granzow or Christoph Kempf
Interventional Radiology
Minimal invasive tissue sampling methods are being optimised and validated. Based on the tumor sample response-analysis (see above) a systemic or targeted, intraarterial or percutaneous treatment can be optimised using interventional methodology. Image-guided interventions are using hybrid processes to improve targeting and outcome.
The innovation is enhanced by fruitful research that is strongly interlaced with interdisciplinary clinical practice.
Contact/project lead: Hendrik von Tengg-Kobligk (lab), Miltiadis Krokidis or Anna-Christina Stamm (clinical)
Gadolinium depositions
Since the 2014 published paper of Kanda et al. it has been known that Gd-based contrast agents, following several applications, lead to depositions within the organism (e.g. brain, skin and very intense within the bones). Currently, the reasons of this phenomenon are largely unknown. On the basis of our experimental projects we try to contribute to add own data that possibly might explain the reasons for the observed Gd depositions.
Contact/project leadership: Nico Ruprecht (Lab), Johannes Heverhagen or Ingrid Böhm (Clinical)
