Head of Section Mr. Beyer, head of the Emerging Technologies at the BMFTR, visited the LPI in Jena in November and gained up close insights and demonstrations for selected LPI basic technologies. The LPI gGmbH and representatives of the partner institutions illustrated the progresses and emphasized the need of the LPI infrastructure in Jena.
Just before the end of the year, heads and scientists of the LPI partner institutions gathered to show Head of Section Mr. Beyer, head of the Emerging Technologies at the BMFTR, new impressions on the LPI and the status of a few basic technologies.
Alongside the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), a delegate of the Thuringian Ministry for Education, Science, and Culture (TMBWK), the LPI management and representatives of the four partner institutions Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology (Leibniz IPHT), Jena University Hospital (JUH), Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology – Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz HKI) and Friedrich Schiller University Jena (FSU) were involved. The focus was aimed on well-advanced basic technologies within the context of the LPI’s future development and the construction of the First-in-Patient unit (FiPU) at JUH.
Starting off, three scientists presented promising basic technologies of the LPI:
- Raman2GO: a portable Raman spectroscope (Leibniz IPHT)
- Data analysis, management and transfer (FSU)
- Organ-on-chip: mikrofluidic biochips as a substitute for animal testing (JUH)
Afterwards, demonstrations of devices brought the basic technologies within reach:
- The Raman2GO allows for portable and cost-effective Raman spectroscopy analyses for cell diagnostics – directly at point-of-care at patient’s beds.
- The invaScope as an endoscopic, multimodal imaging system allows for diagnostics and therapy at the clinical point of use and in real time.
- Data evaluation with trained software models allows for rapid and accurate diagnoses and thus, suitable therapy.
During a subsequent panel of experts, the benefits and necessity of the LPI as a translation infrastructure were discussed in the context of regional as well as international networks. Additionally to the views of the heads of our partner institutions, specialized perspectives of different experts from research, industry and clinics were reflected. For the next phase of the LPI, the panel also focused on considering which basic technologies will be validated and applied in the FiPU.
Within the scope of this visit, the BMFTR gained a valuable insight into the project progresses, plans and the potential of the LPI. The exchange provided important added value to resolve challenges together und shape positive prospects.
Thank you to all involved participants!
Pictures: LPIgGmbH / Sarah Krautwurst, Anne Fischer // BMFTR visits Jena / November 28, 2025
