Multimodal Imaging

Our Goal

The multimodal imaging team aims to develop a spatio-temporal, systems-level understanding of the mechano-molecular mechanisms governing load-induced bone adaptation and regeneration. Imaging is pivotal in achieving this goal, providing non-invasive, high-resolution insights into bone structure, function, and cellular/molecular activity over time. Techniques such as high-resolution micro-CT and intravital two-photon microscopy enable detailed visualization of changes across spatial and temporal scales. By integrating these imaging approaches, we aim to uncover insights into the mechanobiological mechanisms or “mechanomics” of bone and transfer this understanding to clinical applications, advancing therapies for bone adaptation and bone regeneration.

Our Expertise

We combine expertise from different disciplines (e.g. molecular biology, mechanical engineering, bioinformatics) to develop multi-scale and multidisciplinary approaches to investigate the mechanisms regulating bone adaptation and bone regeneration.

We have established mouse models for the in vivo assessment of different bone phenotypes during bone adaptation and regeneration. Using spatially resolved “omics” technologies we can characterize the genomic / transcriptomic / proteomic responses of bone cells within the spatial context of complex tissue architectures. We have established platforms for the integration of spatial omics with in vivo micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) imaging and in silico modelling (micro-finite element analysis, micro-FE). Furthermore, we are establishing intravital imaging, which enables us to longitudinally assess cellular dynamics and extracellular ion concentrations in vivo. Using these multiscale, multimodal approaches, we develop novel experimental models and computational tools to investigate bone adaptation and regeneration capacities under different diseases and treatments.