Bringing in New Glow Substances for Better Bioluminescence
Official title: Building Bridges to New Luciferins
Funded at Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester · NIH-11433897 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant aims to create new glow chemicals and compatible enzymes to improve bioluminescent imaging in animals for drug discovery and research.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Worcester, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | March 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $360,125 |
| NIH project number | 1R01GM166815-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11433897 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable in this preclinical grant; this work is focused on developing imaging tools for animal models and future translational studies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients currently would not directly participate in this preclinical research.
What this research studies
Researchers plan to design novel luciferin substrates that emit near-infrared light and pair them with luciferases that efficiently use these substrates, enabling deeper and clearer imaging in small animals. The work focuses on overcoming limitations like substrate access, cell-permeability, stability, and emission properties to boost sensitivity. The project translates to practical imaging tools that could help scientists monitor biological processes and test drugs more effectively in preclinical studies at the University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester. Participation would involve lab-based experiments with luciferase systems and animal imaging in a controlled research setting.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could dramatically improve the quality and depth of live animal imaging, aiding faster and more accurate preclinical drug evaluation.
How similar studies have gone: Past work with bioluminescent imaging has shown strong benefits, and this project seeks to push emission wavelengths further into the near-infrared.
Where this research is happening
-
Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
Worcester, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Miller, Stephen C. — Univ of Massachusetts Med Sch Worcester
- Study coordinator: Miller, Stephen C.
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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.