GRK 3144:  Multiscale Imaging and Analytics of Interfaces in Musculoskeletal Health

• Subject Area: Medicine
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 547468385

The interdisciplinary Research Training Group (RTG) program entitled "Multiscale Imaging and Analytics of Interfaces in Musculoskeletal Health" extends beyond traditional assessments of bone quantity and density to investigate the complexities of musculoskeletal integrity. This program seeks to understand the interactions between bones, muscles, tendons, fat, and vessels, including their interfaces. By integrating biomedical and technological insights, the program aims to drive innovation in diagnostics and preventive healthcare. Its research objectives include exploring the muscle-fat-bone axis, the tendon-bone interface, the role of vascularization in skeletal health, advanced imaging techniques, models for tissue interfaces, and the use of posture and motion as health indicators. Graduates will gain proficiency in state-of-the-art imaging, disease modeling, and machine learning techniques focused on interfaces, equipping them for addressing global challenges in medicine and technology. The Qualification Program is designed to train a new generation of interdisciplinary STEM scientists in musculoskeletal research. Spanning three cohorts over nine years, it emphasizes skill development in interdisciplinary project management, research ethics, and foundational musculoskeletal research knowledge. Networking opportunities are facilitated through workshops, industry excursions, and international conferences. The inclusion of a Mercator fellow position and the involvement of physicians promote international collaboration and research profile development. This program prepares students for careers in research, teaching, and industry, with a strong emphasis on ethical conduct, collaborative skills, and independence. Located in Hamburg, the RTG benefits from the Interdisciplinary Competence Center for Interface Research (ICCIR) and operates across five laboratory campuses in Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg-Harburg, and Hamburg’s Science City Bahrenfeld. The University Medical Center Hamburg (UKE) provides an interdisciplinary research environment, laboratory facilities, and high-resolution imaging tools. The Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH) specializes in engineering sciences, with a focus on artificial intelligence, data analysis, and computational modeling. Hereon, a member of the Helmholtz Association, offers large-scale facilities for synchrotron science and bone interface research. Hamburg's strategic positioning, robust research infrastructure, and collaborative culture create an optimal setting for musculoskeletal research. The RTG is committed to promoting diversity and gender equality, providing support and initiatives for female scientists. Our interdisciplinary approach not only strengthens healthcare and technological innovation but also prepares graduates for significant roles in academic and corporate research sectors, benefiting both the local and global research communities.

• DFG Programme: Research Training Groups
• Applicant Institution: Universität Hamburg
• Co-Applicant Institution: Technische Universität Hamburg
• Participating Institution: Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY)
• Spokesperson: Professor Dr. Björn Busse
• Participating Researchers: Professor Dr. Michael Amling; Dr. Felix von Brackel; Professorin Dr. Sara Checa Esteban; Professor Dr.-Ing. Christian Johannes Cyron; Professor Dr.-Ing. Alexander Düster; Imke Fiedler, Ph.D.; Professorin Dr. Maike Frye; Dr. Imke Greving; Privatdozentin Katharina Jähn-Rickert, Ph.D.; Professor Dr. Johannes Keller; Professor Dr.-Ing. Tobias Knopp; Privatdozentin Dr. Isabel Molwitz; Professor Dr. Benjamin Ondruschka; Professor Dr.-Ing. Alexander Schlaefer; Professorin Dr. Berit Zeller-Plumhoff