Innovative Deep Learning for Preclinical Analysis of Gene Therapy Efficacy with Multiscale Fluorescence Microscopy (A09*)

• Subject Area: Methods in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 528760423

Fluorescence microscopy is key for the study of sensory and motor systems and for preclinical validation of therapies targeting their disorders. Recent progress enables imaging organs in toto at high resolution, promising advances in morphological analysis and therapy validation, but requires reliable computational methods for the analysis of complete organs or large tissue regions. We will develop deep learning methods to segment diverse cell types and ultrastructure in the inner ear, use them to analyze its structure in detail and develop validation for therapies targeting hearing restoration, finally extending this approach to otic organoids for therapy evaluation in an alternative system.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1690: Disease Mechanisms and Functional Restoration of Sensory and Motor Systems
• Applicant Institution: Georg-August-Universität Göttingen
• Project Head: Professor Dr. Constantin Pape