Oliver Bruns Lab
Next-Generation in vivo ImagingOliver's team combines targeted probe development and novel imaging setups to rapidly translate the technological advantages of SWIR into new imaging capabilities for both preclinical- and therapeutic applications.
Oliver's team combines targeted probe development and novel imaging setups to rapidly translate the technological advantages of SWIR into new imaging capabilities for both preclinical- and therapeutic applications.
About our research
Oliver Bruns' research is dedicated to the development of excellent techniques for biomedical imaging. The advancement of new targeted contrast agents and novel imaging modalities will pave the way for personalized therapy and high precision treatments in the near future. Imaging in the short-wave infrared region (SWIR) is a new technology for biomedical applications. It provides several advantages over the visible and near-infrared regions: general lack of autofluorescence, low light absorption by blood and tissue, and reduced scattering. In this wavelength range tissues become translucent. Recent progress in detection technology and the development of probes demonstrated that, in principal, SWIR imaging enables applications which were previously not feasible with any other technique. These advantages will enable new capabilities in preclinical imaging. Most SWIR imaging setups so far are used for proof of principal demonstrations only.
To utilize the full potential, the first goal is developing novel SWIR imaging setups, which enable high-speed intravital imaging, ultra-sensitive whole animal imaging and fluorescence molecular tomography in mice in the SWIR.
The second goal of this project is to develop novel bright and targeted SWIR probes for preclinical research in diabetes and oncology.
To utilize the full potential, the first goal is developing novel SWIR imaging setups, which enable high-speed intravital imaging, ultra-sensitive whole animal imaging and fluorescence molecular tomography in mice in the SWIR.
The second goal of this project is to develop novel bright and targeted SWIR probes for preclinical research in diabetes and oncology.
Publications
Read more2025 Scientific Article in Journal of the American Chemical Society
High-resolution multicolor shortwave infrared dynamic in vivo imaging with chromenylium nonamethine dyes.
2025 Scientific Article in Nature Biotechnology
Nanocarrier imaging at single-cell resolution across entire mouse bodies with deep learning.
2025 Scientific Article in Chemical Communications
Small organic fluorophores with SWIR emission detectable beyond 1300 nm.
2025 Scientific Article in Acta Biomaterialia
Photoswitching protein-XTEN fusions as injectable optoacoustic probes.
2024 Scientific Article in ACS Nano
Dramatic impact of materials combinations on the chemical organization of core-shell nanocrystals: Boosting the Tm3+ emission above 1600 nm.
2024 Nature Photonics
Author Correction: In vivo NIR-II fluorescence imaging for biology and medicine (Nature Photonics, (2024), 10.1038/s41566-024-01391-5).
2023 Scientific Article in Laser & Photonics Reviews
Shortwave-infrared line-scan confocal microscope for deep tissue imaging in intact organs.
