A new method for analyzing tiny vesicles in the blood that may reveal cancer information.
Official title: Vesicle Epitope Transcript sequencing (VET-seq): Droplet-based Multiomic Profiling Platform for Single Vesicle Analysis
Funded at University of Utah · NIH-11086758 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring tiny particles in your blood called extracellular vesicles to see if they can help find cancer earlier and more accurately, which could lead to better ways to diagnose and treat the disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Utah NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Salt Lake City, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $230,033 |
| NIH project number | 5R61CA278559-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11086758 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with cancer or those at high risk for developing cancer.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-cancerous conditions or those not producing detectable extracellular vesicles may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are small structures released into the blood by cells. The study aims to develop a cutting-edge platform called Vesicle Epitope Transcript sequencing (VET-seq) that can analyze the proteins and RNA within these vesicles at a single-vesicle level. By using advanced techniques, the researchers hope to unlock the potential of EVs as sources of cancer biomarkers, providing insights into the tumor microenvironment and aiding in cancer diagnosis and treatment. Patients may benefit from improved diagnostic tools that can detect cancer earlier and more accurately.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate cancer diagnostics and personalized treatment options for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using extracellular vesicles for cancer diagnostics, but this specific approach with VET-seq is innovative and largely untested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Utah
Salt Lake City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lu, Yue — University of Utah
- Study coordinator: Lu, Yue
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.