GRK 2566:  Interfacing image analysis and molecular life-science (Imol)

• Subject Area: Basic Research in Biology and Medicine
• Term: since 2021
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 414985841

Microscopy techniques are critical to understanding the fundamental principles of life. Thanks to major leaps in microscope technology, modern microscopes produce images that contain an astonishing amount of information. Achievable resolutions, fields of view, and sample preparation techniques are constantly improving and thus the number of potential applications is growing rapidly. Image analysis is key to the efficient information mining from microscopy images. Dedicated computing resources and specialized image processing algorithms are thus essential for extracting the information hidden in the images. Meanwhile, high-quality human-machine communication is becoming increasingly important for the data presentation and interpretation. In iMOL RTG, we designed a scientific program that encompasses cutting-edge technology development and hypothesis-driven life science applications that challenge textbook knowledge at the molecular scale. We place particular emphasis on the interfaces between engineering and applications, as well as between applications and data analysis. Finally, the data analysis feeds back into microscope design and hypothesis development, closing the loop. It provides PhD students across disciplines with a unique combination of training in microscopy prototyping, state-of-the-art life science applications and cutting-edge image analysis. The iMOL PhD students benefit from close collaborations within their cohort, as well as social and scientific events. On the other hand, the iMOL PIs have a special commitment to teaching and knowledge transfer. They wholeheartedly support the qualification program, which includes recurring short-, medium- and long-term measures, that aids the PhD students throughout their projects and maintains the coherence of the cohort. Ultimately, the skills acquired through iMOL’s interdisciplinary training are highly sought after in scientific and technical roles in both academia and industry. Altogether, the iMOL interdisciplinary training has proven its value by impacting other PhD programs and influencing the excellence initiative on the campus. The computational challenges of microscopy have only been addressed sporadically. The long-standing systemic deadlock that has hindered the extraction of information from images is only gradually being addressed. This is due to two main factors: (i) computer scientists developing the necessary algorithms often receive insufficient training in life sciences, and (ii) biologists may lack data-processing expertise and may remain unaware of relevant advancements in image analysis. We have the expertise to fuse the gap between the disciplines by working at their interfaces and the infrastructure to support both microscopy and image analysis, with excellent supercomputing architectures and state-of-the-art microscopy facilities. Combined with the active life science community in the Rhein-Main area we have fertile ground for iMOL's continued success.

• DFG Programme: Research Training Groups
• Applicant Institution: Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main
• Participating Institution: Max-Planck-Institut für Biophysik
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Achilleas Frangakis
• Participating Researchers: Professorin Dr. Amparo Acker-Palmer; Professor Dr. Mike Heilemann; Professor Dr. Matthias Kaschube; Bonnie Murphy, Ph.D.; Dr. Francesco Pampaloni, Ph.D.; Professor Dr. Ernst H.K. Stelzer; Dr. Till Stephan; Dr.-Ing. Beata Turonova; Dr. Florian Wilfling; Professorin Dr. Maike Windbergs