ERC Consolidator Grant awarded for groundbreaking brain MRI research

Christian Langkammer from the Department of Neurology at the Medical University of Graz has secured an ERC Consolidator Grant, one of Europe’s most prestigious research funding awards based on scientific excellence. The €2 million grant will support the expansion of his research group and enable the realisation of his project ‘WhatsMRI – Elemental and Structural Composition underlying Brain MRI’, which aims to uncover fundamental biophysical mechanisms underlying magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

MRI is a widely used clinical imaging technology, with over 50,000 scanners worldwide performing more than 100 million diagnostic exams annually. Langkammer's research focuses on the myelin sheath - a vital insulating layer around nerve fibres that ensures efficient electrical signal transmission essential for motor, sensory, and cognitive functions. The myelin sheath's unique arrangement of lipids and proteins plays a critical role in its function. However, despite its importance, there is limited systematic understanding of how its chemical and structural changes influence quantitative MRI images. Langkammer's project aims to bridge this knowledge gap, particularly in the context of neurological diseases such as multiple sclerosis and the natural aging process.

Langkammer's innovative approach integrates post-mortem MRI scans of human brains with advanced analytical methods, including laser-ablation mass spectrometry for chemical analysis, synchrotron X-ray scattering to study material structures, and high-resolution microscopy. Additionally, mathematical modelling and simulation will be used to create a comprehensive model linking the microstructural properties of the brain to quantitative MRI parameters. The project aims to provide deeper insights into pathological brain alterations and develop a publicly accessible chemical and structural atlas of the human brain, serving as a valuable resource for research beyond MRI.

Andrea Kurz, Rector of Med Uni Graz, expressed pride in Langkammer's achievement: "Christian Langkammer is an innovative scientist whose work is internationally recognized. This ERC Consolidator Grant is not only a testament to his dedication but also a significant milestone for neuroscience at Med Uni Graz."

Christian Enzinger, Vice Rector for Research and International Relations, added: "This prestigious grant reinforces our university's leadership in neuroscience. The interdisciplinary nature of this project will open new avenues in imaging research, and we are committed to providing the necessary infrastructure, including an ultra-high-field MRI scanner." 

Christian Langkammer is an Associate Professor at the Department of Neurology. His academic career includes a PhD from Graz University of Technology and an Erwin Schrödinger Fellowship at the Martinos Center of Harvard Medical School in Boston. His research focuses on quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), particularly brain iron mapping and the development of methods for quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM).

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