The research field "novel drugs and contrast agents in tumor research" has set itself the goal of testing new fluorinated organic compounds with respect to their effect on different cell lines. In addition to viability studies (hemocytometer), MR spectroscopic measurements of the cells, which can detect a potential labeling of the cells, are carried out.

Most of the compounds under investigation are synthesized, purified and characterized in our laboratory. This also includes aspects such as the intermolecular interactions (formation of guest-host complexes) and influences of pH changes on the chemical shifts in ¹⁹F MR spectra.

In addition to Gadolinium-containing complexes, new ionic and non-charged potential MR contrast agents are being investigated. Examples include perfluoroalkanes and the doubly negatively charged boron cluster [B₁₂F₁₂]^2-.

MR imaging experiments are performed on a 4.7T MR animal scanner at the Leibniz Institute of Neurobiology. With the obtained data, our group constructed e. g. 3D printing phantoms. These allow for example in the first preliminary studies, the concentration estimation of new fluorinated compounds and the optimization of MR imaging sequences.