NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Biointerface quantum and nanosensing tools to study autophagy in cancer

Official title: Biointerface quantum and nanosensing technologies to investigate autophagic pathways

Funded at Georgia Institute of Technology · NIH-11429059 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A new funding opportunity uses advanced quantum and nanosensing tech, along with AI, to better understand how autophagy and lysosome function affect cancer cells.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionGeorgia Institute of Technology
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Atlanta, United States)
Project startAugust 1, 2026
Project endJuly 31, 2031
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$421,857
NIH project number1R35GM166288-01
Project IDNIH-11429059 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates are people whose cancers involve autophagy dysregulation and who might participate in future translational studies or biomarker development.

Less likely to help

People with cancers not driven by autophagy or lysosomal dysfunction may see limited direct benefit.

What this research studies

This grant funds research at Georgia Tech to develop and apply ultra-sensitive sensing methods that monitor autophagy and lysosomal activity in living cells. The team will use quantum and nano-scale sensors plus artificial intelligence to capture real-time changes in cellular processes linked to cancer, aiming to reveal how autophagy influences tumor behavior. By tracking lysosomal pH and related signals, the project seeks to connect molecular events to potential new therapeutic strategies for cancer.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from breakthroughs in cancer therapies that target autophagy and lysosome pathways.

How similar studies have gone: Previous work shows that advanced sensing and AI can reveal dynamic cellular processes, but integrating quantum/nano sensing for autophagy in living systems is still emerging.

Where this research is happening

  • Georgia Institute of Technology
    Atlanta, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Kim, Mijin — Georgia Institute of Technology
  • Study coordinator: Kim, Mijin

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.