AI-powered design of brighter, safer NIR-II fluorescent materials for imaging
Official title: Machine Learning-Enhanced Molecular Modeling of Near-Infrared Fluorescent Materials for Bioimaging
Funded at Herbert H. Lehman College · NIH-11424170 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A tiny grant is funding AI-driven methods to design brighter, more stable NIR-II fluorophores for medical imaging and surgical guidance.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Herbert H. Lehman College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | September 5, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $151,168 |
| NIH project number | 1R16EB039652-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11424170 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients whose doctors use NIR-II imaging for guidance or diagnostics and may benefit from more accurate, less invasive imaging tools.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not undergoing NIR-II imaging or those without access to future imaging technologies may see limited immediate benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses machine learning to model and optimize near-infrared II fluorescent materials called Pdots, aiming to overcome current limits in brightness, stability, and biocompatibility. Researchers will build models that predict how molecular changes affect light emission and work with simulations to find designs with strong performance in deep tissue. The work focuses on creating design rules that can guide future development of clinically useful imaging probes. The effort combines AI, chemistry, and computer simulations to accelerate translation of better imaging tools for patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from clearer, deeper imaging during surgery and diagnostics, potentially improving outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Past studies show that AI-guided design can improve materials for imaging, but applying it to NIR-II Pdots is still an emerging area with promising potential.
Where this research is happening
-
Herbert H. Lehman College
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Chun-I — Herbert H. Lehman College
- Study coordinator: Wang, Chun-I
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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.