Fast imaging to speed up skin cancer biopsies and surgery
Two photon fluorescence microscopy for dermatologic surgery and biopsy
This project uses a high-speed two-photon microscope with quick molecular staining to produce near-real-time tissue images for people with nonmelanoma skin cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rochester NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Rochester, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11221603 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have a suspicious skin lesion, this approach images biopsy or surgical tissue using two-photon fluorescence microscopy (TPFM) plus rapid molecular labeling to generate histology-like images in minutes. That could let surgeons check margins and make treatment decisions during the same visit instead of waiting days for lab results. The team at the University of Rochester developed high-speed TPFM hardware and fast staining protocols and has done preliminary work on human tissue showing promising results. The goal is to refine and validate these methods so they can be used in dermatologic clinics and during Mohs or other skin cancer surgeries.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people undergoing biopsy or surgical treatment (including Mohs surgery) for suspected or confirmed nonmelanoma skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma.
Not a fit: People with melanoma, non-skin conditions, or those not having a biopsy or surgical procedure are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could reduce repeat visits and additional surgeries by providing faster, accurate tissue pictures during biopsies and skin cancer operations.
How similar studies have performed: Early pilot studies from this team showed TPFM can produce images with accuracy similar to conventional histology, but larger clinical testing is still needed.
Where this research is happening
Rochester, United States
- University of Rochester — Rochester, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Giacomelli, Michael Gene — University of Rochester
- Study coordinator: Giacomelli, Michael Gene
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 below.