Chromatin nanoimaging center to understand ovarian cancer and treatment resistance
Research Test-Bed Unit
This center uses advanced imaging, molecular tests, and computer modeling to understand how ovarian cancer stem cells change and become resistant to chemotherapy so it can help patients with ovarian cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11239804 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will combine nanoscale imaging of chromatin with molecular assays (like ATAC‑seq) and computational modeling to see how DNA packaging and gene activity differ in cancer stem cells versus non‑stem cells. The Research Test‑Bed Unit will provide cells and tissue samples at different stages of stemness and chemotherapy sensitivity to test the imaging tools. The team will focus on ovarian cancer to learn how transcriptional and chromatin reprogramming may let some cells survive treatment. Findings will be used to improve and optimize the imaging platform and guide later translational studies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with ovarian cancer, especially those undergoing surgery or treatment who can donate tumor tissue or samples, would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: People without ovarian cancer or those who cannot provide tissue samples are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this center's research in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could identify markers of chemotherapy resistance and point to new ways to predict or prevent recurrence in ovarian cancer patients.
How similar studies have performed: Epigenetics and chromatin studies have suggested links to treatment resistance, but applying multi‑scale nanoimaging in this way is relatively new and not yet a proven clinical tool.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, UNITED STATES
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Matei, Daniela E — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Matei, Daniela E
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 below.