NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Advanced light-based imaging to map complex biology

Official title: Super-multiplex optical imaging: development of novel spectroscopy and probes to illuminate complex biomedicine

Funded at Columbia Univ New York Morningside · NIH-11401699 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A new imaging platform will let researchers see many different molecules and cells at once, with high detail, to better understand how biological systems work.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionColumbia Univ New York Morningside
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New York, United States)
Project startSeptember 1, 2023
Project endJune 30, 2028
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$627,732
NIH project number5R35GM149256-04
Project IDNIH-11401699 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Patients with neurological conditions or diseases where tissue-level changes and cellular interactions are important, such as brain-related disorders, could be impacted by future capabilities built on this research.

Less likely to help

This work focuses on developing imaging technology, so patients may not directly receive a treatment or diagnosis from this grant.

What this research studies

This project aims to develop a groundbreaking imaging technology that can watch many targets inside living tissues in three dimensions and over time. It will use advanced spectroscopy methods to break previous color barriers and achieve single-molecule sensitivity. By enabling simultaneous observation of proteins, organelles, and cell types, patients’ future diagnoses and treatments could benefit from deeper biological insight.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the technology could lead to more precise diagnoses and personalized therapies by revealing complex biological interactions inside the body.

How similar studies have gone: Earlier imaging approaches show promise, but this project seeks to surpass current limits with a more powerful, multi-target platform.

Where this research is happening

  • Columbia Univ New York Morningside
    New York, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Min, Wei — Columbia Univ New York Morningside
  • Study coordinator: Min, Wei

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

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.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 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.