A new method to isolate individual cells from 3D tissue samples
Official title: A versatile platform to isolate cells from three-dimensional samples after spatial and temporal profiling
Funded at Imagen Bioworks INC. · NIH-10931998 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new way to look at individual cells in tissues using special imaging technology, which could help scientists learn more about how cells behave in real-life situations, ultimately leading to better treatments for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Imagen Bioworks INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project start | September 12, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $333,048 |
| NIH project number | 1R41GM154612-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10931998 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions that involve complex cellular interactions, such as cancer or tissue regeneration disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions that do not involve cellular isolation or 3D tissue interactions may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel technique called 2P-SPOTlight, which uses advanced 2-photon microscopy to isolate single cells from complex three-dimensional tissue samples. By tagging specific cells with fluorescent markers, researchers can identify and separate these cells for further study. This method aims to improve our understanding of cellular behaviors and functions in a more realistic environment, which is crucial for disease research and drug development. Patients may benefit from the insights gained through this research, as it could lead to new therapeutic targets and treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to breakthroughs in understanding diseases and developing targeted therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in single-cell isolation techniques, but this specific approach using 2-photon microscopy is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Imagen Bioworks INC.
Houston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: St-Pierre, Francois — Imagen Bioworks INC.
- Study coordinator: St-Pierre, Francois
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.