IBMI

We invent innovative imaging and sensing technologies at Biological and Medical Imaging (IBMI). We drive their clinical translation by developing bioengineering solutions for the life sciences and medicine to benefit patients and society.

The Institute of Biological and Medical Imaging (IBMI) of Helmholtz Munich, Germany, is a multi-disciplinary academic research structure strongly integrated with the Chair of Biological Imaging at the Technical University of Munich.

Career

IBMI is a multi-disciplinary academic research structure strongly integrated with the Chair of Biological Imaging at the Technical University of Munich and is the cornerstone of a rapidly expanding bioengineering ecosystem in the Munich science area; including the Research Center TranslaTUM and the Helmholtz Pioneer Campus, which integrate bioengineering with oncology and metabolic disorders, respectively. Our scientists develop bioengineering solutions for the life sciences and medicine to benefit patients and society by inventing next-generation imaging and sensing methods. Our innovations make it possible to measure previously inaccessible properties of living systems, catalyzing breakthroughs in biology, medicine, and the environment.

Comprising 12 interdisciplinary laboratories and scientists from more than 25 countries, we offer state-of-the-art infrastructure for innovative research, promote independent career development and diversity as well as a perfect environment for networking in international consortia. Our research aims to shift the paradigm of biological discovery and healthcare impact and address the major health challenges of our time by developing the medical solutions of tomorrow.

The I2S group aims to advance and adapt established optoacoustic (OA) imaging analysis techniques to streamline the translation of new sensing technologies into clinical settings for improving individualized healthcare.

Ntziachristos/Curren Lab

Genetic engineering and gene manipulation concept. Hand is replacing part of a DNA molecule.

The research group for Molecular Engineering focuses on enabling this rich variety of tools for opto-acoustic (OA) imaging. OA is an emerging methodology bridging light excitation and ultrasound detection towards deep tissue imaging.

Stiel Lab

At the group for "AI in Optoacoustics" of IBMI, we design innovative algorithms for biomedical imaging modalities based on sophisticated mathematical models.

Jüstel Lab

The group „IBMI Biology Central Support“ is centered around provision and development of cell lines and animal models for optoacoustic imaging.

Bengel Lab

Defective mESCs (green) with poor mitochondria function are eliminated by mESCs with active mitochondria (red)

The Laboratory develops advanced fluorescence imaging methods for pre-clinical and clinical imaging, leading in 2011 to the first clinical translation of a targeted fluorescent agent for optical molecular imaging of patients.

Gorpas Lab

A petri dish with growing cultures of microorganisms, fungi and microbes. A Petri dish ( Petrie dish) known as a Petri plate or cell-culture dish

Our group’s primary research interest is to understand the mechanobiology of the airway epithelium.

Nawroth Lab

Our group conceives, designs and develops multispectral optoacoustic technology that allows performing non-invasive anatomical, functional and molecular optical imaging of the skin in the clinics.

He Lab

Our research innovates hybrid methods combining thermoacoustic, optoacoustic and fluorescence imaging.

Köhler Lab

Exploring the dynamics of chromatin structure and function across physiological states

Our group focuses on developing technology and applications on the combination of optical and optoacoustic microscopy in order to deliver contrast and imaging abilities not available in optical microscopes today.

Pleitez Lab

The Nanomedicine and Biomarkers Group studies preclinical models of disease with label-free MSOT imaging to develop working pipelines for in vivo detection and quantification of biomarkers, such as lipid content, blood perfusion, and tissue oxygenation.

Gujrati Lab

We are developing methods and devices to measure health-related parameters non-invasively. Just imagine getting your blood work done without any needles, but by using light and by sensing the resulting ultrasound waves on your skin surface. Chemical contrast is achieved label-free by the wavelength-specific absorption of relevant molecules.

Stahl Lab

Data analysis business intelligence analytics internet technology concept.

The research group focuses on advancing mathematical methods on Harmonic Analysis and its application to Inverse Problems related to image reconstruction, and Data Analysis.

Filbir Lab

News

Featured Publication, Bioengineering, IBMI, March 27, 2025

Helmholtz Munich researchers have introduced a new imaging method that exploits light, sound, and temperature-induced material changes. This approach uncovers a novel contrast mechanism in optoacoustic imaging, driven by tiny temperature-based shifts…

Prof. Vasilis Ntziachristos erhält Mitgliedschaftsurkunde der Leopoldina

Awards & Grants, Bioengineering, IBMI, February 20, 2025

Since March 2024, Vasilis Ntziachristos has been a member of the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. This esteemed recognition stands as one of the highest honors for scientists and is awarded through a thorough multi-stage selection…

Featured Publication, Bioengineering, IBMI, September 30, 2024

Optoacoustic imaging is transforming biological research by enabling high-resolution imaging at depths beyond traditional optical microscopy. Already applied in clinical settings, this technique now requires more effective optoacoustic labels for use…

Bioengineering, IBMI, June 17, 2024

The research of Prof. Dr. Vasilis Ntziachristos and his team leads to novel, groundbreaking medical imaging tools. Their non-invasive technologies unveil crucial health and disease details that can empower doctors to identify and address diseases at…

Featured Publication, Bioengineering, IBMI, March 27, 2024

Scientists have created a non-invasive technology for measuring glucose levels in blood.

RSOM-Aufnahmen von Haut eines gesunden Probanden (links), eines Patienten mit Diabetes (mitte) und eines Patienten mit Diabetes und Neuropathie (rechts).

New Research Findings, Bioengineering, IBMI, December 11, 2023

Changes in small blood vessels are a common consequence of diabetes development. Researchers at Helmholtz Munich and the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have now developed a method that can be used to measure these microvascular changes in the…

New Research Findings, Computational Health, Bioengineering, IBMI, October 02, 2023

Researchers at Helmholtz Munich and the Technical University of Munich have made significant progress in advancing high-resolution optoacoustic imaging for clinical use. Their innovative deep-learning framework, known as DeepMB, holds great promise…

Featured Publication, Bioengineering, IBMI, Pioneer Campus, February 02, 2023

How can the clinical translation of research findings be accelerated to improve human health? What role does bioengineering play in driving the development of medicine and biology solutions? Matthias Tschöp, CEO at Helmholtz Munich and Alexander von…

Transfer, New Research Findings, Bioengineering, IBMI, May 12, 2022

A clinical study confirms the success of a novel technology developed by Helmholtz Munich and the Technical University of Munich (TUM) for the evaluation of the treatment of psoriasis. With the new method, doctors can look deeper into the skin of…

Chain of amino acid or bio molecules called protein - 3d illustration

New Research Findings, Bioengineering, IBMI, December 06, 2021

Biomedical imaging is the window through which we can look into organisms. It allows us to see cells, their behavior and localization that would otherwise be hidden. Tracking very few cells over time without damaging them is a key challenge in health…

Awards & Grants, IBMI, October 11, 2021

Vasilis Ntziachristos receives this year's Karl Heinz Beckurts Prize for his outstanding achievements and pioneering work in the field of biomedical imaging. The BioNTech and CureVac founders were also honored with special prizes at the award…

Awards & Grants, IDO, IBMI, December 09, 2020

Helmholtz Zentrum München won two ERC Consolidator Grants for pioneering biomedical research in the fields of metabolic health and bioengineering. In 2020, the European Research Council (ERC) awarded the center with a total of eight ERC Grants. This…

New Research Findings, Bioengineering, IBMI, September 16, 2020

Researchers at Helmholtz Zentrum München and the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have developed the world’s smallest ultrasound detector. It is based on miniaturized photonic circuits on top of a silicon chip. With a size 100 times smaller than…

Porträt Vasilis Ntziachristos, tuerkis Version 2

Prof. Dr. Vasilis Ntziachristos

Director of the Institute of Biological and Medical Imaging, Director of the Bioengineering Center View profile

Andreas Hillmair_Portrait_20230228_bearbeitet

Dr. Andreas Hillmair

Deputy Director - Operations View profile

Dr. Ivy Savannah Curren

Deputy Director - Science View profile

Dr. Manfred Türke

Head of Project Management & Communications

Dr. Corinna Lieleg

Executive Scientific Coordinator View profile

Dr. Doris Bengel

Lab-Manager

Noora Al-Naimi, Ing.

IT Administrator

Ines Baumgartner

Assistant

Dr. Elisa Bonnin

Scientific Writer

Karla Buortmes

Assistant

Somik Chakravarty P1100591_DxO_bearbeitet

Dr. Somik Chakravarty

Scientific Fundraising Manager

Dr. Ute Chambers

Scientific Fundraising Manager

Dr. Mary Gazea

Project Manager

Dr. Serene Lee

Scientific Writer

Stephanie Montag

Assistant

Dr. Julia Thomas

Project Manager (on parental leave)

Dr. Juliana Valle

Project Manager