A new microscope for advanced bioimaging techniques
Official title: Metasurface-Integrated Open-Top Lattice Light Sheet Microscope for High-Throughput Bioimaging
Funded at Princeton University · NIH-11053628 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new type of microscope that helps scientists see and follow how cells and groups of cells interact in real-time, which could lead to better insights into how our bodies work.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Princeton University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Princeton, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | March 11, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $246,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R21EB035681-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11053628 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 genetic disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions that do not involve cellular imaging or those who are not undergoing treatment that requires advanced bioimaging may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel lattice light sheet microscope that enhances the ability to visualize and track dynamic interactions within cells and multicellular organisms in four dimensions. By improving the compatibility of this advanced imaging technology with commonly used sample holders, the project aims to overcome current limitations in biomedical research. The approach utilizes adaptive optics to correct optical aberrations, ensuring high-resolution imaging with minimal invasiveness. This could significantly improve the understanding of biological processes at the cellular level.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to breakthroughs in how we visualize and understand complex biological interactions, potentially improving diagnostics and treatment strategies.
How similar studies have gone: While light sheet fluorescence microscopy has shown promise in previous studies, this specific approach to integrating it with common sample holders is novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Princeton University
Princeton, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fu, Tian-Ming — Princeton University
- Study coordinator: Fu, Tian-Ming
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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.