Developing advanced microscopy techniques for faster cancer drug discovery
Official title: High-throughput high-resolution microscopy for phenotypic drug discovery applications
Funded at University of Toledo · NIH-11039609 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Toledo NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Toledo, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $198,976 |
| NIH project number | 3R15EB034552-01S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11039609 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients who may benefit from new anti-cancer therapies developed through this innovative approach.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to cancer or those who have already exhausted all available treatment options may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
University of Toledo
Toledo, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ray, Aniruddha — University of Toledo
- Study coordinator: Ray, Aniruddha
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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.