WG „BIOPHOTONIK / LUH“ (Prof. A. Heisterkamp)

Contact

Director of Clinic: Prof. Dr. Alexander Heisterkamp

heisterkamp@iqo.uni-hannover.de

Tel. +49511-7622231 oder +495115321365

Representative at the NIFE: Dr. Stefan Kalies

Kalies.Stefan@mh-hannover.de

Tel. +49511532-1364

Keywords

Biophotonik, Laser-Gewebe-Wechselwirkung, medizinische Laseranwendungen, optische Zellmanipulation und -stimulation, Optogenetik, Ophthalmologie, optische in vivo Bildgebung, nicht-lineare Laser-Mikroskopie, Lasertransfektion, Mikroelektrodenarray, Ultrakurzpulslaser

Short summary of scientific expertise

The Biophotonics group of the Leibniz University Hannover investigates the interaction of light and biological matter within the framework of basic research and biomaterial testing. The key aspects of the group’s work are as follows:

In vitro and in vivo microscopy

The group establishes and utilizes various microscopy techniques such as multiphoton microscopy, fiber-based microscopy, or confocal microscopy to study biological processes in living cells or in animal models. Approaches are currently being developed in order to reduce the use of animal for testing.

Cell Manipulation

At the cellular and subcellular level, light is being used to influence and study cell behavior. With laser-based cell surgery, ultrashort pulsed lasers are utilized to eliminate subcellular structures or whole cells. Optogenetics enables targeted cell activation or regulation of gene expression by means of light. Using laser-based transfection, molecules are delivered to mammalian cells using a laser.

Optical tweezers and biomaterials

By means of light, optical tweezers exert forces that can capture and move micro- and nanoparticles. This can be used to study biological forces in living cells or transmembrane proteins. Biomaterials are also being used in the group to fabricate novel hydrogel-based optics. Additionally, work is being carried out to increase the rigidity of biomaterials by means of laser-based cross-linking.