Get to know: Prof. Fritz Schick

Fritz Schick and his research group in the Section of Experimental Radiology are working on the development of new magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy methods for the quantitative characterization of tissues. In a joint project with the preclinica in Tübingen (Dr. Andreas Schmid), methods for non-invasive hypoxia mapping (also blood oxygen dependent mapping, BOLD) of tumors are being developed and implemented. 

While preclinical investigations are carried out on mouse models, the section for Experimental Radiology is working on 3 Tesla whole-body systems for the translation of preclinical results to patient applications. New radiomics techniques enable a more detailed analysis of the texture of a tumor. Another area of research is the investigation of various tissues (especially fat distribution) regarding their role in the development of diabetes, together with Department IV of the Medical Clinic (Prof. Andreas Birkenfeld). It is known that chronic inflammation of the liver and the presence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis correlate with diabetes and hepatocellular carcinoma. Radiation therapy is inefficient in ischemic areas of the tumor because oxygen levels drop there, preventing tumor cells from proliferating. Normally, proliferation of tumor cells would make them vulnerable to radiotherapy. Surviving cells that do not undergo cell division (mitosis) can survive after radiotherapy. 

Fritz Schick is also involved in projects on the MR-Linac system, where information from MR imaging can be used directly to guide radiotherapy. We wish Fritz Schick and his team much success in their field of research!