Jonathan A. Gernert
Early career Clinician Scientist
Jonathan A. Gernert studied medicine at Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU) Munich, Germany, and Aarhus University, Denmark. His early interest in neuroscience was shaped by experimental research at the Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD) in Munich. Currently working as a neurology resident at the Institute of Clinical Neuroimmunology, LMU, he is dedicated to integrating patient care with translational research in neuroimmunology.
His research focuses on identifying novel imaging biomarkers to improve detection and monitoring of neuroimmunological diseases, particularly progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). With a strong interest in the neurovisual system, his work investigates how retinal imaging techniques such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) can capture central nervous system pathology. In close collaboration with the Department of Nuclear Medicine, he is involved in implementing advanced positron emission tomography (PET) imaging approaches in MS.
Within the FOR 5705 NeuroFlame, his project investigates novel positron emission tomography (PET) imaging approaches to characterize microglial activation and synaptic pathology in progressive MS, with the overarching aim of improving disease monitoring and potentially informing future therapeutic strategies.
Publications
The potential of optical coherence tomography angiography in progressive multiple sclerosis. Gernert J.A., Zausinger H., Diedrich L. et al. J Neurol. 273, 118 (2026).
SV2A-PET imaging uncovers cortical synapse loss in multiple sclerosis. Ullrich Gavilanes E.M., Bartos L.M., Gernert J.A. et al. Sci Transl Med. 17, eadt5585 (2025).
Characterization of Peripapillary Hyperreflective Ovoid Mass-like Structures in a Broad Spectrum of Neurologic Disorders. Gernert J.A., Christmann T., Kaufmann E. et al. Ophthalmology. 132, 590-597 (2025).
