Developing new imaging agents to track reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in the body
Official title: Boron-Rich Cluster Materials for Vibrational- and Mass Spectral-Based Bioimaging of Reactive Oxygen/Nitrogen Species
Funded at University of Delaware · NIH-11018378 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on new materials that can help doctors see important signals in the body related to diseases like Alzheimer's and autoimmune disorders, aiming to create better tools for diagnosing and managing these conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Delaware NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | June 1, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $235,261 |
| NIH project number | 1P20GM156674-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11018378 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmune disorders, or conditions associated with oxidative stress.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to oxidative stress or those not experiencing neurodegenerative or autoimmune diseases may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating innovative boron-rich cluster materials that can be used for advanced bioimaging techniques to monitor reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) in biological systems. By utilizing vibrational spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, the project aims to overcome limitations of traditional fluorescent imaging methods, allowing for more precise tracking of these important biological signals. The goal is to develop sensors that can detect multiple ROS/RNS simultaneously, which are crucial in understanding various diseases, including neurodegenerative and autoimmune conditions. Patients may benefit from improved diagnostic tools that can lead to better management of these diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate diagnostic tools for diseases linked to oxidative stress, improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While the use of vibrational spectroscopy and mass spectrometry in bioimaging is emerging, the specific approach of using boron-rich cluster materials for this purpose is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Delaware
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Messina, Marco — University of Delaware
- Study coordinator: Messina, Marco
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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.