The technology provides razor-sharp, three-dimensional insights, even during rapid movement sequences. With up to 500 images per second, joint movements, muscle structures or possible misalignments can be examined precisely - much more accurately than with classic, static X-ray images. Several research projects are already underway. One focus is on problems in farm animals such as chickens: the researchers want to clarify whether sternum fractures are actually caused by jumping from perches. Horses and dogs are also being investigated in order to better understand dental and joint stresses under real movement conditions, for example.
The facility was a 1.2 million euro investment, half of which was funded by the German Research Foundation and half by the Free State of Saxony. This makes it unique in Germany and there is only one comparable facility in Zurich in Europe. The combination of high-tech X-ray, movement laboratory and biomedical research harbours enormous potential. Animals with chronic movement problems could be better diagnosed and treated in future. It also opens up prospects for human medicine: in future, humans and animals could benefit from new findings at the same time.
Press release from "Leipzig University" dated 20 November 2025