Research infrastructure
The CMC houses a large array of infrastructural and research tools, both for basic neuroscience and disease- and patient-oriented research. Examplary components are summarized in the following table.
| INFRASTRUCTURE | SPECIFICATION |
|---|---|
| 3 T Human MRI Core Facility, MR | 3-Tesla MR-scanner (Siemens Trio) dedicated for research. Access to MR-compatible EEG systems, various MR-compatible eye-trackers, movement and psychophysiological systems |
| 3 T Human MRI Core Facility, GI | 3-Tesla MR-scanner (Siemens Prisma) dedicated for research. Access to MR-compatible EEG systems, various MR-compatible eye-trackers, movement and psychophysiological systems |
| Molecular Imaging Facility | Access to SPECT-PET-CT, offering expertise to study functional and morphologic parameters |
| 7T-small animal MRI | 7-Tesla MR-scanner for investigation of experimental animals with a weight of up to 1.2 kg |
| Comprehensive Biomaterial Bank Marburg (CBBMR) | Scientific service platform constituting a department-wide, central collection of biomaterials in a modular way (Member of German Biobank Alliance/GBA) |
| Genomics Core Facility (including Single Cell Sequencing & Multiomics) |
Infrastructure for various genome-wide analysis techniques, offering access to several instrument- and cost-intensive technologies of modern biomedicine (e.g. next generation sequencers, Rhapsody Single Cell Multiomics system) |
| Cellular Imaging – Spinning Disc Confocal Microscopy | Access to Spinning disc microscopy, representing one of the most powerful imaging techniques to analyze the biological dynamics of living cells |
| Multiphoton Microscopy | Multiphoton microscopy, combining the advanced optical techniques of laser scanning microscopy with long wavelength multiphoton fluorescence excitation for imaging of cells deep in living (brain) tissue |
| Laser Microdissection | Laser Microdissection, allowing for the contact- and contamination-free isolation of single cells or entire areas of tissue |
| Medicinal Chemistry Unit | The Medicinal Chemistry unit supports the design, synthesis and structural optimization of small organic compounds that can be used as research tools |
| Bioimaging Facility | Access to different state-of-the-art microscopes (e.g. widefield fluorescence and confocal microscopes, electron microscope, Total Internal Reflection Fluorescence microscope) |
| hessian.AI | 10 NVIDIA DGX2/A100 AI Supercomputers and corresponding data storage as part of the recently started Hessian Center for AI (hessian.AI) with personnel for all aspects of cognitive modelling and big data analyses |
| MaRC3 | High-performance computing cluster |
| Coordinating Center for Clinical Studies (KKS) | Large University-based KKS, offering GCP-compliant implementation of Investigator Initiated Studies (IITs). study management, study protocols, contracts, legal work, analysis and publication of clinical studies |
| TransMit GmbH | University based transfer unit assisting in founding start up companies and in patient mining, filing an intellectual property protection |
| Data Hub | Data platform. Storage, mining, and interface structure for making data Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable (FAIR) to the scientific community |
| CMBB | A joint research center of the Universities of Marburg and Gießen. Researchers of various neuroscientific disciplines are collaborating interdisciplinary |
| Research Campus of Central Hessen (FCMH) | Recently established platform to further promote the research infrastructure of the three Central Hessian universities. A central focus of the research campus is the topic Mind, Brain and Behavior |
| Psychiatric Imaging Network Germany (PING) | The DZP is part of this neuroimaging network. It serves to coordinate, standardize and optimize data acquisition and storage of neuroimaging studies. |
| Virtual reality and movement tracking lab | To study human behavior in 3D environments (one in MR, one in GI), specialized among others for eye-tracking investigation of infants |
| Deep Brain Stimulation | DBS in PD patients and iEEG in pharmaco-resistant epileptic patients |
| Rodent Behavior Facility | A self-contained S1 in-house animal facility for N=720 rats in Marburg and for N=100 rats and N=100 mice in Giessen with behavioral test rooms fully equipped for assessing behavioral phenotypes with relevance to human neuropsychiatric disorders |
| Psychophysiology Facilities | Psychophysiological labs with continuous blood pressure measurement, heart rate and baroreflex sensitivity, respiration, surface EMG, ECG and SCL to measure the influence of stress on chronic disorders and diseases |
| Virtual Reality Treatment Centers Network (VRNet) | vR-treatment with programs to develop a higher perception of physical introspection to influence stress symptoms and chronic diseases |
| IDeA Labs | Joint lab structure of DIPF, JWG and Sigmund-Freud-Institute comprising equipment for behavioral and neurocognitive studies inside and outside the labs (paper-based tests, computer-assisted cognitive tests, video studies): 4 eye-trackers (1 mobile device), 1 EEG system, 1 MRT training device, testing library (with more than 450 items) |
| Behavioral Neuroscience Lab | Eye tracking, functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), EEG Speech and Motion capture |
| Brain stimulation & EEG lab MR | tDCS, TMS, EEG and experimental equipment |
| AP MALDI MS Imaging | High-resolution atmospheric-pressurescanning microprobe matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization orbital trapping mass spectrometry imaging |
| Noninvasive Brain Stimulation | Multi-channel tDCS, tACS and 3D current flow modelling for focused stimulation |
| EEG lab | 64-channel EEG and experimental software, source space and connectivity analysis |
| Virtual Reality Treatment lab | Free movements social situation training facility |