Volker Christian Behr

Prof. Dr. Volker Christian Behr serves as an Associate Professor at the University of Würzburg's Faculty of Physics and Astronomy, where he leads the Magnetic Particle Imaging group within the Chair of Experimental Physics (Biophysics). Located in Building P1, Room F-076 at the Am Hubland campus in Würzburg, Germany, Prof. Behr contributes significantly to the advancement of medical imaging technologies with expertise in Magnetic Particle Imaging and Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Prof. Behr's research focuses on Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI), a novel medical imaging technique that detects superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles with high sensitivity and specificity within the human body. His work explores the nonlinear magnetization function of these particles to develop marker-based applications that avoid radioactive nuclides, offering significant potential for clinical applications. He has contributed to the development of MPI-MRT hybrid systems where MPI captures the marker signal while MRT provides the anatomical background. His research extends to scanner technology, wave propagation in high-field MRI, and applications in non-destructive material testing.

Prof. Behr's publications over the past two decades demonstrate a consistent focus on medical imaging technologies, with particular emphasis on Magnetic Particle Imaging since 2009. His work spans from fundamental scanner components and hardware to novel reconstruction techniques and clinical applications. The evolution of his research shows progression from general MRI technology (2003-2011) to specialized MPI development (2015-2018), reflecting the emergence of MPI as a distinct field within medical imaging.

Prof. Behr leads the Magnetic Particle Imaging research group within the larger Magnetic Resonance Imaging group at Experimental Physics 5. His team works on advancing MPI technology, developing novel reconstruction techniques, and exploring clinical applications of magnetic particle imaging. The group is part of the Chair of Experimental Physics (Biophysics) at the University of Würzburg, which maintains strong connections with medical researchers for translational applications of imaging technologies.