Advanced 3D Imaging for Cancer and Tissue Health

Quantitative phase imaging andcomputational specificity (Popescu)

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN · NIH-11162327

This project is creating a new way to take detailed 3D pictures of cells and tissues inside the body without needing dyes, which could help doctors better understand conditions like cancer.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN (nih funded)
Locations1 site (CHAMPAIGN, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11162327 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

We are developing a powerful new imaging method called Quantitative Phase Imaging (QPI) that can see tiny details in cells and tissues. This technology combines different light techniques to create 2D, 3D, and even 4D (time-lapse) images without harming the tissue. While QPI has already helped diagnose cancer in lab samples, this project aims to make it work directly inside the body and for deeper tissues. Our goal is to develop a special endoscopic system that can capture high-resolution 3D images, starting with skin collagen, to provide new insights into tissue health and disease.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Patients who might benefit from more precise and non-invasive imaging for conditions such as cancer or skin diseases could eventually be candidates for this technology.

Not a fit: Patients without conditions requiring advanced tissue imaging would not directly benefit from this specific technology development.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this new imaging technology could lead to earlier and more accurate diagnoses for conditions like cancer, potentially improving treatment decisions and patient outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: While QPI has shown success in lab settings for cancer diagnosis, its application for in-vivo and deep-tissue imaging is a novel and less explored area.

Where this research is happening

CHAMPAIGN, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Cancer Prognosis

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.