X-ray Fluorescence Imaging (XFI) of immune cells and soluble molecules in the liver (B07)

• Subject Area: Medical Physics, Biomedical Technology ; Gastroenterology ; Immunology
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 530990199

In B07 we will introduce X-ray Fluorescence Imaging (XFI) as a novel tool for measuring the migration dynamics of monocytes into the liver. XFI is a non-invasive imaging method based on exciting "X-ray echos" from labelled entities such as immune cells or antibodies. It allows the simultaneous tracking of different monocyte subpopulations and the corresponding secreted cytokines/chemokines. To this end, we will follow two different methods of labelling. These XFI-based studies will increase our understanding of how such distinct monocyte subpopulations contribute to the development and regulation of liver inflammation and provide a novel tool for spatiotemporal imaging of cells and soluble factors.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1700: Immune regulation in the liver: from homeostasis to disease
• Applicant Institution: Universität Hamburg
• Project Heads: Lidia Bosurgi, Ph.D.; Dr. Neus Feliu; Professor Dr. Florian Grüner