The experimental research of the ENT department focuses on the development of biocompatible ENT tissue replacement materials, the use of innovative biophotonics and of mass spectrometry imaging for tumor and inflammation diagnostics. Clinical research focuses on the investigation of disease mechanism understanding and the development of new therapeutic methods for the treatment of facial nerve paralysis and chronic tinnitus.

Prof. Dr. Orlando Guntinas-Lichius
Am Klinikum 1, 07747 Jena

Otorhinolaryngology

Research projects

CRIMSON – Coherent Raman Imaging for the molecular study of the origin of diseases

Principal investigator: Prof. Dr. Orlando Guntinas-Lichius
EU (Horizon 2020) 2020 - 2024

The aim is the developing of a new microscopic endoscopic imaging system. Therefor new biophotonic imaging technologies, ultra-fast laser technology, Raman detection and data evaluation using artificial intelligence are combined. This enables new insights into the cellular origin of tumor diseases and new approaches in personalized medicine. As a clinical partner, the ENT department uses the technology to investigate the interaction between tumor and immune cells in the head and neck area and is responsible for the resourcing of tissue samples and clinical data for the development of the system.

Homepage of the project

TheraOptik - – multimodal labelfree endoscopic visualization and laser surgery for the diagnosis and therapy of head and neck tumors

Principal investigator: Prof. Dr. Orlando Guntinas-Lichius
BMBF 2019 - 2022

The aim of the project is a multimodal label-free endoscopic visualization and laser surgery for better diagnosis and therapy of head and neck tumors. As the clinical project partner, the ENT department is responsible for conducting the clinical study. The application of the endoscope to be developed and the laser system will be tested in a clinical setting on tumor tissue from patients. This ongoing clinical evaluation of the system forms the basis for further product development through to market launch.

The cortical tinntius network and how its connectivity changes through “tailor-made notched music” training

Principal investigator: Prof. Dr. Christian Dobel

DFG 2017 - 2021

Despite the subjective nature of tinnitus, we were able to develop novel methods to assess tinnitus and we could demonstrate the high individual burden using standardized methods. From a neurophysiological viewpoint, tinnitus can be rather regarded a “network” impairment than as a dysfunction in a circumscribed region. Particularly limbic and attention related regions displayed a crucial involvement.

OtoDentFlex3D: 3D printable flexible patient specific earmolds and dental prostheses

Principal investigator: PD Dr. Gerlind Schneider
BMBF 2019 - 2021

Aim of the project is the development of flexible biocompatible 3D printable materials for two different medical application fields:

ear: earmolds, in-ear models, and hearing protection with a focus on customizability, functionality, and adaption to anatomical conditions
dental prostheses: development of a soft-retaining denture base for complete and partial dentures to ensure as well as restore fit accuracy and adhesion

Memory for voices: The role of attention

Principal investigator: PD Dr. Romi Zäske
DFG 2017 - 2021

The voice has been studied primarily as a carrier of speech. However, successful interpersonal communication also depends on the ability to recognize heard voices and to process speaker information such as gender or age. It is as yet unclear, how voices are learned and the role of attentional processes. We investigate these questions here using neuroscientific methods and healthy subjects as well as patients with tinnitus and hemineglect. We also develop a standardized test to objectify individual differences in voice memory.

Selected publications

Hoffmann F, Umbreit C, Krüger T, Pelzel D, Ernst G, Kniemeyer O, Guntinas-Lichius O, Berndt A, von Eggeling F. Identification of Proteomic Markers in Head and Neck Cancer Using MALDI-MS Imaging, LC-MS/MS, and Immunohistochemistry. Proteomics Clin Appl. 2019 Jan;13(1):e1700173.
Rodner E, Bocklitz T, von Eggeling F, Ernst G, Chernavskaia O, Popp J, Denzler J, Guntinas-Lichius O. Fully convolutional networks in multimodal nonlinear microscopy images for automated detection of head and neck carcinoma: Pilot study. Head Neck. 2019 Jan;41(1):116-121.
Bottek J, Soun C, Lill JK, Dixit A, Thiebes S, Beerlage AL, Horstmann M, Urbanek A, Heuer H, Uszkoreit J, Eisenacher M, Bracht T, Sitek B, Hoffmann F, Vijitha N, von Eggeling F, Engel DR. Spatial proteomics revealed a CX3CL1-dependent crosstalk between the urothelium and relocated macrophages through IL-6 during an acute bacterial infection in the urinary bladder. Mucosal Immunol. 2020 Jul;13(4):702-714.
von Eggeling F, Hoffmann F. Microdissection-An Essential Prerequisite for Spatial Cancer Omics. Proteomics. 2020 Sep;20(17-18):e2000077.
Arolt C, Meyer M, Hoffmann F, Wagener-Ryczek S, Schwarz D, Nachtsheim L, Beutner D, Odenthal M, Guntinas-Lichius O, Buettner R, von Eggeling F, Klußmann JP, Quaas A. Expression Profiling of Extracellular Matrix Genes Reveals Global and Entity-Specific Characteristics in Adenoid Cystic, Mucoepidermoid and Salivary Duct Carcinomas. Cancers (Basel). 2020 Aug 31;12(9):2466.

Outstanding achievements

In January 2020, Dr. Franziska Hoffmann was awarded the 1st poster prize for her contribution "Identification of Proteomic Markers in Head and Neck Cancer using MALDI-MS Imaging, LC-MS / MS and Immunohistochemistry" at the Meeting on Experimental and Translational Research in Head and Neck Cancer in Cologne.