GRK 3043:  AMTEC-PRO – Advanced Methods and Technologies for Proton Therapy

• Subject Area: Medicine ; Particles, Nuclei and Fields
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 527826293

AMTEC-PRO aims at improving the standard of care in proton therapy through the use of advanced methods, novel treatment approaches and emerging technologies, and to train new generations of interdisciplinary researchers. Its central element is the West German Proton Therapy Centre in Essen (WPE) – a leading institution for proton radiotherapy in Europe and one of the most advanced proton therapy centers in the world. The foundation of the research program is strong fundamental research in the STEM disciplines that is transferred to applications in medicine. The research projects are situated at the interfaces between medicine, physics and chemistry, and they make use of modern methods in particle technology and machine learning. The research program is oriented along the complex workflow of proton therapy which lies at the interfaces of the disciplines involved, and in which a great potential for a significant development with clinical relevance is expected. These are the development of new instruments and methods with the aim to improve the precision of proton therapy; the investigation of radiation effects at various levels with the goal to kill tumor cells more effectively and to reduce adverse effects of radiation; and the study of Gd complexes and noble metal nanoparticle sensitizers with the aim to improve tumor control. The qualification program is tailored to the strengths and needs of the participants. It will help the participants to develop all necessary skills to become independent and responsible researchers. Given the desperate need for highly qualified workers with academic education, in particular in the STEM disciplines and medicine, the cross-field character of AMTEC-PRO is an asset that will boost the careers of its graduates. AMTEC-PRO is led by a unique group of participating researchers and comprises experts in basic research as well as applied scientists and practitioners. This ensures the proper technical expertise as well as the necessary clinical viewpoint for the technology transfer to be useful. AMTEC-PRO will be make strong use of the excellent research infrastructures at the University of Duisburg-Essen, the University Hospital Essen and TU Dortmund University. The scientific networks are further bundled by the University Alliance Ruhr (UA Ruhr), which also AMTEC-PRO will contribute to by the installation of the cross-site UA Ruhr Guest Chair for Particle Science. On the long-run, AMTEC-PRO intends to establish a sustainable link between basic research in the natural sciences, new technologies and modern medicine in the Ruhr area with a direct impact on patients and researchers.

• DFG Programme: Research Training Groups
• Applicant Institution: Technische Universität Dortmund
• Co-Applicant Institution: Universität Duisburg-Essen
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Kevin Kröninger
• Participating Researchers: Professor Dr.-Ing. Stephan Barcikowski; Privatdozent Dr. Christian Bäumer; Professorin Dr. Anzhela Galstyan; Abdelkhalek Hammi, Ph.D.; Professor Dr. Jens Kleesiek; Dr. Elisabeth Kreidt; Professor Dr. Armin Lühr; Professor Dr. Torsten Schmidt; Professor Dr. Matthias F. Schneider; Professorin Dr.-Ing. Doris Segets; Professorin Dr. Beate Timmermann