Leif Schröder

The goals of molecular imaging are to be able to diagnose diseases even quicker and to better assess the effects of medications – and these are also the goals of Dr. Leif Schröder. Schröder is a biophysicist at the Leibniz Institute for Molecular Pharmacology, where he develops so-called “Xenon” biosensors. With the help of these sensors, physicians can better and more rapidly diagnose changes in cell structure during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In the next five years, the European Research Council will be funding the work of this Emmy Noether stipend recipient with a total of almost €2 million.

Leif Schröder uses Xenon biosensors as a contrast agent that helps to better distinguish cell structure abnormalities during an MRI. The actual biosensor bonds to molecules and penetrates their cells, while the inert gas Xenon – in this case hyperpolarized – bonds to the biosensor and makes it visible on the MRI. The new features of this method include the use of a lower concentration of the contrast agent as well as the use of Xenon instead of water molecules.

Biosensors for a Variety of Diseases

“Our long-term goal is to make the sensors so sensitive that within 15 minutes of an MRI we generate enough good images to make a diagnosis,” says Leif Schröder. It’s going to take a while to reach that point, however. In five years, Schröder hopes, the method will be developed enough that there will be biosensors for a variety of diseases and that the first tests with animals will be possible.

Leif Schröder studied physics and chemistry at the Universities of Göttingen and Heidelberg. After receiving his doctorate in 2003, he worked at the University of California in Berkeley in the lab of Prof. Alexander Pines – here, too, in the field of molecular imaging. Schröder’s move from Berkeley to Berlin was, as he says, “somewhat of a coincidence.” At an industry conference, FMP employees approached Schröder and asked if he could imagine continuing his research in Berlin. He said he could, especially if the FMP offered him the necessary preconditions for his work.

Germany’s Only Research Group Focusing on Xenon Biosensors

“In order to perform research in this field,” notes Leif Schröder, “you need MRT equipment, a device to produce the hyperpolarized Xenon, and the right people.”  He found all of this at Campus Berlin-Buch. Since 2009, he’s been heading up a young group of FMP researchers in molecular imaging. It is the only research group in Germany that focuses on Xenon biosensors. 

And yet, molecular imaging itself is the focus of a clearly increasing number of scientists and entrepreneurs. At the Berlin Imaging Network, research institutes, hospitals and small and medium-size businesses have come together to exchange ideas and experiences in the field of imaging.  “Our cooperation is good, with companies too,” says Schröder. As he notes, the fact that the companies involved in the network leave the competition behind is quite unique in Germany.

High Interest in Business-Science Cooperation

Indeed, Leif Schröder has noted a high degree of interest in collaborative projects in Berlin. His research group works with Germany’s Federal Institute of Physics and Metrology (PTB) as well as with the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM). A major pharmaceutical company has also shown interest in cooperating.