A fast, parallel 3D imaging platform for organoid research
Official title: A parallelized imaging platform for accurate and efficient long-term assessment of brain organoid development
Funded at Ramona Optics, INC. · NIH-11315676 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new imaging system from Ramona Optics aims to rapidly capture 3D, multi-channel images of brain organoids to help researchers study their development.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ramona Optics, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | December 15, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $745,337 |
| NIH project number | 2R44MH133521-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11315676 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable (this grant supports technology development using organoid models; patients are not required to participate in this grant as described).
✕Less likely to help
Patients would not participate directly in this grant, and there is no direct patient enrollment described.
What this research studies
This grant funds the development of a high-speed, parallelized 3D imaging platform designed for live, multi-channel imaging of brain organoids. It focuses on hardware and software that can image thousands of organoid samples efficiently, enabling better understanding of growth and neural activity. The work is close to clinical relevance because organoid models are used to study human brain development and diseases, with potential downstream applications in drug screening and personalized medicine.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the platform could accelerate brain organoid research and help researchers test therapies more quickly.
How similar studies have gone: Earlier phases showed feasibility in daily 3D imaging of organoid specimens; this Phase II aims to productize the platform for broader use.
Where this research is happening
-
Ramona Optics, INC.
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Harfouche, Mark — Ramona Optics, INC.
- Study coordinator: Harfouche, Mark
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.