Creating advanced 3D models for testing cancer treatments
Official title: VivoSpheres: Tissue-Engineered Spheroidal Models for High-Throughput Screening
Funded at Vivosphere LLC · NIH-10921674 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on creating new 3D models that better mimic tumors to help researchers find effective cancer treatments faster and more reliably.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vivosphere LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Auburn, United States) |
| Project start | May 22, 2024 |
| Project end | May 23, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $350,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R43TR004754-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10921674 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with various types of cancer who may benefit from new treatment options.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-cancerous conditions or those not seeking new cancer treatments may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing innovative three-dimensional (3D) spheroidal models that enhance the drug discovery process for cancer treatments. By utilizing a microfluidic platform, the study aims to produce consistent and high-quality cell-laden hydrogel microspheres, known as VivoSpheres, which can better mimic the tumor environment compared to traditional two-dimensional models. These models will allow researchers to test various cancer drugs more effectively, potentially leading to faster and more reliable results in identifying effective treatments.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective cancer therapies being developed more quickly and efficiently.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that 3D models can significantly improve drug testing outcomes, indicating a promising direction for this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Vivosphere LLC
Auburn, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tian, Yuan — Vivosphere LLC
- Study coordinator: Tian, Yuan
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
VivoSphere: a tumor-accurate, high-throughput 3D cancer model for colorectal cancer drug screening
A new 3D cancer model called VivoSphere is being developed to test colorectal cancer drugs more quickly and accurately in the lab.
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.