Göttingen Graduate Center for Neurosciences, Biophysics, and Molecular Biosciences

Boretius, Susann, Prof. Dr.

Professor of Functional Imaging
Head of the Functional Imaging Laboratory at the German Primate Center


  • 1994: License to practice veterinary medicine
  • 2000: Doctor of veterinary medicine, University of Leipzig
  • 2003: Diploma in Physics, University of Göttingen
  • 2003-2011: Scientific assistant, Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Biomedizinische NMR Forschungs GmbH (Prof. J. Frahm)
  • 2011-2015: Professor of Biomedical Imaging with focus on magnetic resonance technologies, Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel, Germany
  • 2013-2015: Head of the Molecular Imaging North Competence Center, Christian-Albrechts University of Kiel
  • 2015-today: Professor of Functional Imaging, Faculty of Biology and Psychology, University of Göttingen and head of the Functional Imaging Laboratory, German Primate Center, Göttingen




Major Research Interests

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and spectroscopy (MRS) - Neurosciences: basic and translational research
Our research is focused on the development and improvement of magnetic resonance (MR) methods for application in basic biomedical and applied clinical research especially in the fields of neurosciences. We are particularly interested in applying this method on experimental animals, but we do complementary studies in humans as well. As truly non-invasive techniques, MRI and MRS are important methods for translational research, because almost the same methods can be applied in animals and humans. In this context, our research and development activities aim to continuously improve the spatial and temporal resolution of MRI and MRS in rodents, in non-human primates and in humans. With the help of these techniques we are "watching" the brain while it thinks and aiming to better understand what happens with the brain during maturation and aging, and under healthy and pathological conditions as well. Moreover, by using appropriate animal models and more advanced contrast mechanism like diffusion based techniques, magnetization transfer and susceptibility mapping our goal is to increase the sensitivity and specificity of these MR methods for more precise diagnostics and for a more specific and early detection of the response to therapeutic intervention.


Homepage Department/Research Group

https://www.dpz.eu/en/functional-imaging



Selected Recent Publications


  • Poggi G, Boretius S, Möbius W, Moschny N, Baudewig J, Ruhwedel T, Hassouna I, Wieser GL, Werner HB, Goebbels S, Nave KA, Ehrenreich H.: Cortical network dysfunction caused by a subtle defect of myelination (2016). GLIA. 2016 64(11):2025-40.
  • Dommaschk M, Peters M, Gutzeit F, Schütt C, Näther C, Sönnichsen FD, Tiwari S, Riedel C, Boretius S, Herges R. (2015), Photoswitchable Magnetic Resonance Imaging Contrast by Improved Light-Driven Coordination-Induced Spin State Switch. J AM CHEM SOC. 137:7552-7555
  • Boretius S, Tammer R, Michaelis T, Brockmöller J, Frahm J: Halogenated volatile anesthetics alter brain metabolism as revealed by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy of mice in vivo (2013). NEUROIMAGE, 69:244-55.
  • Fünfschilling U*, Supplie LM*, Mahad D*, Boretius S*, Saab AS, Edgar J, Brinkmann BG, Kassmann CM, Tzvetanova ID, Möbius W, Diaz F, Meijer D, Suter U, Hamprecht B, Sereda MW, Moraes CT, Frahm J, Goebbels S, Nave K (2012), Glycolytic oligodendrocytes maintain myelin and long-term axonal integrity. NATURE, 485:517-21.
  • Boretius S, Kasper L, Tammer R, Michaelis T, Frahm J. MRI of cellular layers in mouse brain in vivo (2009). NEUROIMAGE 47:1252-60.
  • Boretius S, Michaelis T, Tammer R, Ashery-Padan R, Frahm J, Stoykova A. In vivo MRI of altered brain anatomy and fiber connectivity in adult pax6 deficient mice (2009). CEREBRAL CORTEX 19:2838-47.