Developing advanced microscopy techniques for faster cancer drug discovery

High-throughput high-resolution microscopy for phenotypic drug discovery applications

NIH-funded research University of Toledo · NIH-11039609

This study is working on a special microscope to help scientists see how cancer cells die, which could lead to faster discoveries of new cancer treatments, and it also aims to teach college students from diverse backgrounds how to use these cool new tools.

Quick facts

Grant typeR15 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Toledo NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Toledo, United States)
Project IDNIH-11039609 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on creating a new type of microscope that combines high-resolution imaging with advanced techniques to better understand how cancer cells die. By observing both the physical and chemical changes in live cells, the project aims to speed up the process of discovering new anti-cancer drugs, which traditionally takes many years. The researchers will enhance existing holographic microscopy technology and integrate it with tumor-on-chip models to personalize therapy assessments. Additionally, the project emphasizes training undergraduate students, especially from underrepresented backgrounds, in these advanced techniques.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients who may benefit from new anti-cancer therapies developed through this innovative approach.

Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to cancer or those who have already exhausted all available treatment options may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to faster and more effective cancer treatments by improving the drug discovery process.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using advanced imaging techniques for drug discovery, indicating that this approach could be effective.

Where this research is happening

Toledo, United States

Researchers

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 below.
Conditions Anti-Cancer Agents
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 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.