Fabian Kiessling - Biography#

Dr. Kiessling is a clinical radiologist who studied medicine in Heidelberg and is leading the Institute for Experimental Molecular Imaging at RWTH Aachen University. He started his scientific career at the German Cancer Research Center as one of Europe's pioneers in molecular imaging. For the first time he showed the ability of volumetric computed tomography to provide unprecedented 3D views of tumor blood vessels in vivo, revealing how tumors recruit vessels over long distances, explaining aggressive metastatic behavior. Super-resolution ultrasound imaging (i.e. motion model Ultrasound Localization Microscopy, mULM) is another field pioneered by Kiessling, allowing the non-invasive visualization of microvessels and their functional assessment at an unmatched resolution. mULM, first applied in humans by Kiessling, has proven effective in imaging tumor microvasculature and monitoring chemotherapy responses. Kiessling made significant contributions to molecular and theranostic ultrasound imaging, notably by developing molecularly targeted microbubbles (MB). His MB were the first to quantify angiogenic markers in tumors in vivo by ultrasound. In theranostics, these MB innovations have enabled ultrasound-triggered drug delivery and temporary blood-brain barrier opening, enhancing drug penetration into the brain. By integrating MRI contrast agents into MB shells, real-time monitoring of this process was enabled to improve intervention safety. Kiessling has advanced our understanding of tumor vascular physiology, molecular marker regulation, and responses to treatment. His work on vascular and stromal barriers, the Enhanced Permeability and Retention effect in tumors, and on passive and active drug targeting mechanisms has established him as a highly visible figure in nanomedicine and tumor-targeted drug delivery. He published >450 scientific articles, 23 patents/patent applications, 23 book chapters, and edited 4 books (>37 000 citations, H-index 96, google scholar).