Developing heat-activated nanoparticles for better cancer imaging
Official title: Body heat activated, storable, near-infrared, self-illuminating nanoprobes for chemiluminescence imaging of cancer
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-10875858 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing new tiny particles that can light up when they get warm from your body, helping doctors find and remove cancer cells more easily during surgery, which could lead to better results for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R15 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 19, 2024 |
| Project end | September 18, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $466,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R15DE034720-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10875858 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients undergoing surgical procedures who may benefit from improved imaging techniques to detect microscopic disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with advanced-stage cancer where surgery is not a viable option may not receive benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating innovative nanoparticles that can be activated by body heat to improve the detection of cancerous cells during surgery. By utilizing near-infrared chemiluminescent and fluorescent properties, these nanoparticles aim to enhance imaging capabilities beyond current methods, which often miss microscopic disease. The goal is to provide surgeons with better tools to identify and remove cancerous tissues, potentially leading to improved patient outcomes. The nanoparticles can be stored at low temperatures, making them practical for clinical use.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly enhance the accuracy of cancer surgeries, leading to better survival rates and reduced recurrence of cancer.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using nanoparticles for cancer imaging is promising, it is still considered a novel method with limited prior success in clinical settings.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lee, Jung-Jae — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Lee, Jung-Jae
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Understanding how alcohol and how couples talk about consent affect intimate partner sexual violence
This project studies how alcohol use and how partners communicate about consent influence intimate partner sexual violence among sexual minority and heterosexual couples.
-
How proteins change and move as heart cells develop
This grant aims to map how protein turnover changes as human iPSCs turn into cardiomyocytes and other cell types, using new labeling and mass-spectrometry methods.
-
Center for Health, Work and Environment
A national center dedicated to improving health in people who work, by studying how jobs affect well-being and safety.
-
Subtyping Core for Research on the Causes of Type 2 Diabetes (SCORE-T2D)
A new U01 grant from a university research team aims to understand why Type 2 diabetes differs so much between people and how to tailor prevention and treatment.
-
Expanded antibody-based clues to TB risk in people with HIV
A clinician-scientist seeks to understand how antibodies in people with HIV may drive the progression from latent TB to active TB, with the goal of identifying clues that could guide future care.
-
Human Trisome Project in Latin America Network
A large, multi-site study of people with Down syndrome across Latin America to better understand health and aging in DS.
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.