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Bioengineering Center Biological and Medical Imaging

We invent innovative imaging and sensing technologies and 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

Research Groups

Business, Technology, Internet and network concept. Virtual display: Clinical trial
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Imaging to Sensing

Our research innovates hybrid methods combining thermoacoustic, optoacoustic and fluorescence imaging. We innovate in three main areas: (1) Investigate the fundamental interactions between electromagnetic (EM) and optical energy and tissue, (2) explore novel instrument design for optimal illumination and energy coupling into tissue for sensing and therapy applications, and (3) develop novel classes of sensors to capture pathophysiological features of tissue indicative of disease, with the goal of developing novel paradigms for early detection.

Natziachristos/Curren Lab
Genetic engineering and gene manipulation concept. Hand is replacing part of a DNA molecule.
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Cell Engineering

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
Wissenschaftsfoto Brain
Helmholtz Munich | ©Ajay Kesharwani

Nanomedicine and Biomarkers

In the Nanomedicine and Biomarkers Group, we study 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
Abstract human hologram
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AI in Optoacoustics

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

Jüstel Lab
Defective mESCs (green) with poor mitochondria function are eliminated by mESCs with active mitochondria (red)
Lima and Lubatti et al., 2021, Nat Metabolism; ©The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited

Fluorescence Imaging

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
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Mechanobiology

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

Nawroth Lab
Wound healing_scarring process.Nature
Helmholtz Munich | Donovan Correa Gallegos

Optoacoustic Mesoscopy

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
Silicon chip
©Helmholtz Zentrum München

Medical Sensors

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

Köhler Lab
Exploring the dynamics of chromatin structure and function across physiological states
Helmholtz Munich | Daphne Cabianca

Translational Optoacoustics

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
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IBMI Biology Central Support

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

Bengel Lab
Sensor_banner (Stahl Lab)
Helmholtz Munich | ©Hans-Ulrich Stahl

Biochemical and Environmental Sensors

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.
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Mathematical Imaging and Data Analysis

IBMI Directorate and Management Team

Vasilis Ntziachristos

Prof. Dr. Vasilis Ntziachristos

Director

Campus Neuherberg: Building 56, room 029 and TranslaTUM: Einsteinstr. 25, room 22.3.28
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Dr. Andreas Hillmair

Deputy Director - Operations

Campus Neuherberg: Building 56/ room 027a and TranslaTUM: Einsteinstr. 25 / room 22.3.30

Dr. Ivy Curren

Deputy Director - Research

Campus Neuherberg: Building 56/ room 027d and TranslaTUM: Einsteinstr. 25 / room 22.3.30

Dr. Manfred Türke

Head of Project Management & Communications

Building 56/room 027a
Porträt Corinna Lieleg_bearbeitet

Dr. Corinna Lieleg

Executive Scientific Coordinator

Building 56 / room 028a
Doris BengelP1088688_DxO_bearbeitet

Dr. Doris Bengel

Laboratory manager

Building 56/ room 028a

Noora Al-Naimi

IT Administrator

Building 56 / room 44

Ines Baumgartner

Assistant

Building 56/ room 027b
Elisa Bonnin P1100588_DxO

Dr. Elisa Bonnin

Scientific Writer

Building 56 / room 27d
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Karla Buortmes

Assistant

Building 56 / room 30b
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Dr. Somik Chakravarty

Scientific Fundraising Manager

Building 56 / room 30a

Dr. Ute Chambers

Scientific Fundraising Manager

Building 56/ room 030a

Dr. Mary Gazea

Project Manager

Building 56 / room 27d
Porträt Serene Lee_bearbeitet

Dr. Serene Lee

Scientific Writer

Building 56 / room 27d
Stephanie Montag_bearbeitet

Stephanie Montag

Assistant

Einsteinstraße 25, TranslaTUM / room 22.3.27

Dr. Julia Thomas

Project Manager (on parental leave)

Building 56 / room 27d
Juliana Valle_bearbeitet

Dr. Juliana Valle

Project Manager

Dr. Anna Villar-Piqué

Project Manager

Building 56 / room 27d

Our Staff at IBMI

Dr. Ivy Curren

Deputy Director - Research

Dr. Heiko Ott

MedTech Director

Dr. Frank-Dieter Filbir

Group Leader
Sabir Ui Alam

Dr. Sabir Ul Alam

Postdoc
Alkotub_Bayan

Bayan Alkotub

Ph.D. Student

Noora Al-Naimi

IT Administrator
Porträt Pia Anzenhofer

Pia Anzenhofer

Technician
Joshua_Aulenbacher_Muenchen_30012025_Photo_Andreas_Mohaupt_bearbeitet

Joshua Aulenbacher

Clinical Scientist
Porträt Mohammed Azeem_bearbeitet

Mohammed Azeem

Ph.D. Student
Porträt Maximilian Bader

Maximilian Bader

Ph.D. Student - Modeling and System Characterization

Abeer Banerjee

Ph.D. student

Ines Baumgartner

Assistant
Constantin Berger

Constantin Berger

Ph.D. Student - Computational Modeling for Metabolic Sensing and Imaging
Elisa Bonnin P1100588_DxO

Dr. Elisa Bonnin

Scientific Writer
Karla_Buortmes_Portrait_bearbeitet

Karla Buortmes

Assistant
Tianshou Cao

Tianshou Cao

Ph.D student
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Victor Leopoldo Cano

Master Student
Somik Chakravarty P1100591_DxO_bearbeitet

Dr. Somik Chakravarty

Scientific Fundraising Manager

Dr. Ute Chambers

Scientific Fundraising Manager
Porträt Shijia Chen_bearbeitet01

Shijia Chen

Ph.D student

Edouard Coussoux

Guest
Davide di Giuseppe bearbeitet

Dr. Davide Di Giuseppe

Postdoc

Qiongjie Ding

Ph.D. student
Porträt TramDo

Dr. Thi Bich Tram Do

Postdoctoral fellow - Inverse Problems in Optoacoustics

Felix Dülmer

Ph.D. Student
Ludwig Englert

Ludwig Englert

Ph.D. Student

Evangelos Fragkiadakis

Student Assistant
Porträt_Sarah_Franceschin

Sarah Franceschin

Ph.D. Student - Tissue Characterization and Data Analysis in Optoaoustics

Dr. Tobias Fromme

Guest
Porträt Javier Garcia Lopez

Dr. Javier Garcia Lopez

Postdoc
Francesca Gasparin

Francesca Gasparin

Ph.D. Student

Dr. Mary Gazea

Project Manager
Porträt Manuel Gehmayr_1

Manuel Gehmeyr

Ph.D. Student - Mathematical Modeling and Data Analysis for Optoacoustic Sensing
Porträt Sarah Glasl

Sarah Glasl

Technician

David Gorbunov

Ph.D. Student

Maximilian Gotsch

Ph.D. Student

Timon Grosch

Student Assistant

Neval Gündogan

Master Student
Jasmin Häberle

Jasmin Häberle

Ph.D. Student
Porträt Philipp Haim

Philipp Haim

Ph.D. Student - Probabilistic Reconstruction and Fluence Modeling
Porträt Yishiu Huang

Dr. Yishu Huang

Guest Scientist

Dr. Chadi Abdel Sattar Ibrahim

Physician scientist - Clinical Epidemiology

Huma Khatoon

Ph.D. Student

Myeongseop Kim

Ph.D. Student
Porträt Uwe Klemm

Uwe Klemm

Technician

Maximilian Koch

Guest
Miro Kolenic Portrait

Miro Kolenic

Master Student
Portrait Johannes Kunz

Johannes Kunz

Ph.D. Student
Porträt Serene Lee_bearbeitet

Dr. Serene Lee

Scientific Writer

Dr. Rhiannon Lees

Postdoc
Porträt Sangmun Lee

Sangmun Lee

Intern
Porträt Corinna Lieleg_bearbeitet

Dr. Corinna Lieleg

Executive Scientific Coordinator
Portrait Panhang Liu Image 6

Panhang Liu

Ph.D. Student

Aikaterini Mavroudi

Master Student
Stephanie Montag_bearbeitet

Stephanie Montag

Assistant
Porträt Kenana Muaiad Al Adem

Dr. Kenana Muaiad Al Adem

Postdoc

Malik Nofal

Master Student
Porträt Suhanyaa Niktunanantharajah

Suhanyaa Nitkunanantharajah

Postdoc - Machine Learning and Data Analysis for Optoacoustic Sensing
Dimitrios Pantazopoulos

Dimitrios Pantazopoulos

Scientist

Bjarne Perleberg

Ph.D. Student

Alina Peterandel

Guest
Porträt Lukas Platz

Lukas Platz

Ph.D. Student - Probabilistic Reconstruction and System Characterization

Alexander Prebeck

Ph.D. Student

Björn Puttfarcken

Ph.D. Student

Jiawang Qiu

Ph.D. Student

Mario Reidl

Ph.D. Student
Lorenzo Ricciardi

Lorenzo Ricciardi

Ph.D. Student
Erik Riedel bearbeitet

Erik Riedel

Ph.D. Student

Elsa Rodrigues

Ph.D. Student
Porträt Maria Begona Rojas-Lopez

Maria Begona Rojas Lopez

Ph.D. Student - System Characterization and Data Analysis

Patricia Römer

Guest
Porträt Alexander Ross

Alexander Ross

Ph.D. Student

Raphael Salz

Ph.d. Student
Bernadette Scherer_bearbeitet

Bernadette Scherer

Scientist

Sara Selim

Master Student
Dominik Selzner_bearbeitet

Dominik Selzner

Ph.D. Student
Porträt Divyesh Shelar bearbeitet

Dr. Divyesh Shelar

Postdoc

Patmaa Sridharan

Ph.D. Student
Richin Sukesh

Richin Sukesh

Ph.D. Student
Shilpa Tayal

Dr. Shilpa Tayal

Postdoc
James Taylor_bearbeitet

James Taylor

Scientist
Anna-Tenditnaya

Anna Tenditnaya

Ph.D. Student

Sarkis Ter Martirosyan

Ph.D. Student - Data-driven Optoacoustics for Metabolism

Dr. Julia Thomas

Project Manager (on parental leave)

Dr. Ravikumar Vaghela

Postdoc

Dr. Manfred Türke

Head of Project Management & Communications

Amira Tuktarova

Student Assistant
Juliana Valle_bearbeitet

Dr. Juliana Valle

Project Manager

Dr. Anna Villar-Piqué

Project Manager

Bingzhi Wang

Ph.D. Student

Dr. Guillaume Zahnd

Guest
Riccardo Zulla_freigestellt

Riccardo Zulla

Ph.D. Student

IBMI Responsibles and Safety Officers

Institute DirectorVasilis Ntziachristos(089) 3187-3852Email
Responsible for Animal ExperimentDoris Bengel(089) 3187-4138Email
DeputyAndré C. Stiel Email
Animal HusbandryDoris Bengel(089) 3187-4138Email
ChemicalsUwe Klemm(089) 3187-4703Email
Equal Opportunities OfficerAndreas Hillmair(089) 3187-2846Email
Occupational SafetyDoris Bengel(089) 3187-4138Email
 Uwe Klemm(089) 3187-4703Email
Lab & Genetic SafetyDoris Bengel(089) 3187-4138Email
Biological Safety RepresentativePeijian Zou Email
Laser SafetyJohannes Kunz Email
Animal WelfareDoris Bengel(089) 3187-4138Email
First AidAndreas Hillmair(089) 3187-2846Email
 Sarah Glasl(089) 3187-4703Email
 Pia Anzenhofer(089) 3187-1595Email
 Hans-Ulrich Stahl(089) 318749340Email
Institute DirectorVasilis Ntziachristos(089) 3187-3852Email
Responsible for Animal ExperimentDoris Bengel(089) 3187-4138Email
DeputyAndré C. Stiel Email
Animal HusbandryDoris Bengel(089) 3187-4138Email
ChemicalsUwe Klemm(089) 3187-4703Email
Equal Opportunities OfficerAndreas Hillmair(089) 3187-2846Email
Occupational SafetyDoris Bengel(089) 3187-4138Email
 Uwe Klemm(089) 3187-4703Email
Lab & Genetic SafetyDoris Bengel(089) 3187-4138Email
Biological Safety RepresentativePeijian Zou Email
Laser SafetyJohannes Kunz Email
Animal WelfareDoris Bengel(089) 3187-4138Email
First AidAndreas Hillmair(089) 3187-2846Email
 Sarah Glasl(089) 3187-4703Email
 Pia Anzenhofer(089) 3187-1595Email
 Hans-Ulrich Stahl(089) 318749340Email

IBMI Alumni

Eleni Andreadaki

Working Student

Laura Baillie

Working Student

Christoph Dehner

Ph.D. Student)

Dr. Chiara Fischer

Visiting Scientist

Anna Gawehn

Student Assistant

Dr. Alexa Hasenbach

Postdoc

Hauer Isabella

Student Assistant

Sebastian Herr

Ph.D. Student

Claudia Hofmann

HiWi

Aleksandra Kolbasnikova

Student Assistant
Elena-Kriukowa

Elena Kriukova

Ph.D. Student
Porträt Delin Li

Delin Li

Ph.D. Student

Dr. Antonia Longo

Ph.D. Student)

Linnea Luoma-Aho

Student Assistant

Susanne Stern

Assistant

Dr. Barbara Stiller

Mariia Stankevych

Ph.D. Student

Dr. Nike Tsalas

Project Manager

Klaudia Winkler

Technician
Patrick_Wustrow

Patrick Wustrow

Clinical Scientist

Tao Yuan

Ph.D. Student