Biocompatible SWIR imaging dyes for high-resolution animal and potential clinical use
Official title: Biocompatible fluorophores for shortwave infrared imaging
Funded at Dartmouth College · NIH-11596885 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A researcher aims to develop safe, bright dyes that glow in the shortwave infrared range to improve high‑resolution imaging in animals and support future clinical imaging.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Dartmouth College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Hanover, United States) |
| Project start | September 13, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $434,615 |
| NIH project number | 7R01EB027172-08 |
| Project ID | NIH-11596885 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are patients undergoing imaging where SWIR-compatible contrast agents could be used in future clinical applications (note: current work is preclinical in animals).
✕Less likely to help
Current work is animal-based and may not directly benefit individual patients during this grant period.
What this research studies
This project focuses on creating and testing biocompatible fluorophores that emit in the SWIR range, enabling clearer, deeper imaging in mammalian models. Researchers will build on a decade of experience with polymethine fluorophores and optimize formulation for water solubility and safe use in living systems. The work includes comparing different dyes in animal models to demonstrate multicolor, non-invasive imaging capabilities and to lay groundwork for future clinical diagnostics. The study emphasizes improved imaging quality while prioritizing biocompatibility and safety in preclinical settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, these dyes could enable clearer, safer imaging in animals and pave the way for improved intraoperative and non-invasive diagnostics in humans.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has demonstrated the value of SWIR imaging in animal models with multi-dye imaging; this project extends that approach with biocompatible formulations.
Where this research is happening
-
Dartmouth College
Hanover, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sletten, Ellen May — Dartmouth College
- Study coordinator: Sletten, Ellen May
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.