PHOTO: Opening of the new OPM-MEG Center (front, from left): Prof. Peter Krüger, Scientific Center Director of PTB; Prof. Joachim Spranger, Dean of Charité; Prof. Cornelia Denz, President of PTB; Prof. Peter Uhlhaas, Scientific Center Director of Charité. Back, from left: Dr. Ina Czyborra, Berlin Senator for Science, Health and Care; Dr. Arne Höll, Head of Department VI B2 of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) © Charité | René Krempin
Charité and PTB Research Diseases with Novel Quantum Sensors
Berlin, October 20, 2025
Schizophrenia, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy: These and other neurological disorders are not yet fully understood. The new OPM-MEG Center, which the Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin opened today together with the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) in the presence of Berlin’s Science Senator Dr. Ina Czyborra, promises a boost of new insights. For the first time, the so-called OPM sensors, which measure the tiny magnetic fields of the human brain, are being used on a larger scale in clinical research. The center is an example of how cutting-edge quantum metrology is being applied in medical applications and how technology transfer is being promoted.
When neurons fire in the brain, tiny currents flow. The resulting magnetic fields can be measured using special quantum sensors. The procedure is called magnetoencephalography (MEG) and provides valuable information about brain functions. For example, it is possible to read brain rhythms that are involved in the movement disorders associated with Parkinson’s disease or play a key role in psychosis.
Optically pumped magnetometers (OPMs) are a new type of quantum sensor. They enable brain signals to be recorded at room temperature with a previously unattainable combination of real-time and high-resolution spatial function measurements. Unlike conventional sensors, which required extreme cooling, OPM sensors make direct contact with the head. This makes them suitable for patients who move, such as children or people with Parkinson’s disease.
Combined expertise
To exploit the promising possibilities of the new technology, Charité and PTB have now established an OPM-MEG center on the Charité Mitte campus – in the greatest possible proximity to patients. Both partners are thus combining their respective expertise: PTB, with its many years of experience in biomagnetic measurements using quantum sensors and the necessary shielding, will be responsible for the entire measurement technology and its further development. Charité will use this technology for research in the field of neurological mechanisms and psychiatric disorders, as well as for clinical studies on larger patient groups. This combined expertise gives the center the potential to become a leading facility for the understanding, detection, and treatment of psychiatric and neurological disorders. At the same time, the OPM measurement technology will be further developed for broader clinical applications.
The centerpiece of the center is the latest generation of a whole-head OPM system with 96 OPM sensors, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG). Charité covered the construction costs, while PTB provides and operates the federally funded magnetically shielded cabin. The weak magnetic signals of the human brain can only be measured if external magnetic fields, such as those of the Earth or a nearby high-speed train, are carefully shielded. The new cabin achieves the highest possible shielding factor with the least possible material expenditure.
Improving quantum sensing, further developing brain-computer interfaces
Tracking the brain’s tiny magnetic fields with quantum sensors: Innovative technology in the new OPM-MEG Center of Charité and PTB © Charité | René Krempin
The new center will be used by research groups from both institutions. PTB scientists are focusing on research in quantum sensing, the implementation of reliable quantum metrology, and accelerated technology development. For example, Charité researchers want to more precisely identify epileptic foci in the brain, especially in children, in order to facilitate their surgical removal. The new center will also advance the development of modern brain-computer interfaces, which, among other things, aim to improve the mobility of people with disabilities.
To accelerate the complex technology transfer in the biomedical field of quantum technology, research collaborations with other partner institutions from science and industry are planned. Last but not least, young start-up companies will be able to use the center and benefit from quality assurance and technology validation. The new OPM-MEG Center thus contributes to the goals of the Berlin Quantum initiative and Berlin UNITE, the recently founded start-up factory for Berlin-Brandenburg supported by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.
Quotes from the opening ceremony
Dr. Ina Czyborra, Berlin Senator for Science, Health, and Care: “With the new center, we are creating ideal conditions for breakthroughs in biomedical and clinical neuroresearch, as well as in the development of quantum sensor technologies. This collaboration between two leading institutions in a strong innovation environment demonstrates the strength of Berlin’s ecosystem as an excellent science and technology location and sets standards throughout Europe. As a pioneering platform for the use of OPM-MEG in clinical research, the center will attract new scientific excellence and innovative start-ups and provide far-reaching impetus for research, healthcare, and the high-tech industry.”
Prof. Joachim Spranger, Dean of the Charité: “Neuroscience is one of the Charité’s research priorities, and the outstanding expertise of our scientists is reflected in initiatives such as the NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, the RETUNE Collaborative Research Center, and the Einstein Center for Youth Mental Health. With the new OPM-MEG Center, we are further strengthening neuroscientific research at the Charité and in Berlin – always with the goal of better understanding and treating disorders such as schizophrenia, epilepsy, autism, and Parkinson’s disease. Combining our clinical expertise with the PTB’s technological expertise is extremely valuable for this, and I am delighted that we can jointly provide such important impetus.”
Prof. Cornelia Denz, President of PTB: “We are delighted that with the new OPM-MEG Center, two leading research institutions are now collaborating even more closely. PTB can further develop its sensor systems here under optimal, practical clinical conditions in a real-world laboratory and qualify them for industrial exploitation and approval within the framework of its Quantum Technology Competence Center (QTZ) and the planned Berlin Transfer Center for Quantum Technology (BT-Q). The new center is a first example of the currently extremely exciting transition of quantum technologies to commercialization.”
About the OPM-MEG Center
The Center for Magnetoencephalography with Optically Pumped Magnetometers (OPM-MEG) is under the scientific direction of Prof. Peter Uhlhaas (Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychosomatics, and Psychotherapy at Charité) and Prof. Peter Krüger (Head of Department 8.2 Biosignals at PTB).
About Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
With more than 100 clinics and institutes on four campuses and 3,293 beds, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin is one of the largest university hospitals in Europe. With an average of around 20,600 employees across Charité and an average of around 24,300 across the group, Charité will remain one of the capital’s largest employers in 2024. As an institution of cutting-edge medicine, Charité is a leader in the diagnosis and treatment of particularly serious, complex, and rare diseases. It enjoys a high reputation worldwide and, as a medical faculty and university hospital, combines first-class healthcare with excellent research and innovation, as well as modern teaching and high-quality training. The focus is always on people and their health. Translational research applies scientific findings to prevention, diagnostics, and therapy, and clinical observations are used to develop new research approaches. Charité’s goal is to actively shape the future of medicine for the benefit of patients.
About the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) Germany’s national metrology institute, is one of the world’s leading institutions in the field of measurement. Nearly every physical quantity is measured at PTB with the highest precision, and the associated measurement technology is continuously being developed further. In addition to legally regulated tasks and numerous calibration services, metrological research and development is at the heart of PTB’s work. PTB is the superior technical authority of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) and employs a total of around 2,100 people at its two locations in Braunschweig and Berlin. PTB is one of the world’s leading research institutions in the field of biomagnetic measurements using OPMs and the necessary shielding technology. Among other things, PTB operates the world’s best-shielded biomagnetic chamber in Berlin.