Analyzing how cancer cells use lipids for survival
Official title: Tumor Metabolic Profiling by Multiplexed Single-Cell Lipid and mRNA Imaging
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11049023 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how cancer cells change their fat processing when they don’t have enough nutrients or oxygen, and it’s for anyone interested in understanding how these changes might affect cancer growth and treatment.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | March 5, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $216,546 |
| NIH project number | 5R61CA278450-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11049023 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients diagnosed with various types of cancer who are undergoing treatment.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-cancerous conditions or those not currently receiving cancer treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the metabolic changes in cancer cells, focusing on how they adapt to low nutrient and oxygen levels by altering their lipid metabolism. Using advanced imaging techniques, the study aims to profile lipids at a single-cell level within tumor tissues, providing insights into the relationship between lipid composition and cancer cell behavior. By examining these metabolic profiles, researchers hope to uncover how different tumor microenvironments influence cancer progression and response to treatment.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies targeting cancer metabolism.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in metabolic profiling of cancer cells, indicating that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Heilshorn, Sarah C — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Heilshorn, Sarah C
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Multimodal AI to predict CAR-T patient response and guide safer, smarter cell design
A Stanford team is building AI tools that use patient and CAR-T cell data to predict how well a CAR-T therapy will work and what design changes might boost effectiveness and safety for people with cancer.
-
Community-driven model to reduce overdose deaths through smarter resource use
A Stanford-led project uses a data-driven model to help counties pick the best ways to prevent opioid and stimulant overdoses and save lives.
-
Center for Dissemination and Implementation at Stanford: Research Core
A Stanford-based program is advancing how evidence-based addiction treatments are implemented across settings to help people with substance use disorders receive better care.
-
Center for Dissemination and Implementation At Stanford (C-DIAS)
A center-based program at Stanford aims to speed people who need addiction treatments to get evidence-based care.
-
Mitochondrial structure and neuron health in Alzheimer's and ALS
This grant studies how mitochondrial cristae structure in neurons is controlled and how its disruption may contribute to diseases like Alzheimer's and ALS.
-
Pediatric EMS seizures: simpler age-based midazolam dosing
A nationwide trial at EMS agencies tests whether using fixed, age-based dosing of midazolam for seizures in children improves treatment speed and safety.
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.