Fast, low-cost breast biopsy imaging for use in Ghana
Breast core-needle diagnostics in LMICs via millifluidics and direct-to-digital imaging: development and validation in Ghana
This project is building a compact system that turns breast needle biopsies into diagnostic-quality digital images and quick lab tests to help people in Ghana and similar low-resource places get faster breast cancer diagnosis and staging.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California at Davis NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Davis, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11162315 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From my perspective as a patient, the team is creating an automated instrument that handles needle biopsy tissue without manual slide preparation using a millifluidic cartridge. It then captures high-resolution, slide-free digital images and adds rapid immunofluorescence tests that can guide treatment decisions near the time of biopsy. The project will also develop AI tools to help triage cases or support local diagnosis when a pathologist is not immediately available. The system will be developed and clinically validated using samples and workflows in Ghana to see if it can produce reliable, faster results at lower cost.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People undergoing core-needle breast biopsy for suspected breast cancer at participating clinical sites (particularly in Ghana) are the ideal candidates for this work.
Not a fit: People who do not need a breast biopsy, who already have a confirmed diagnosis and treatment plan, or who are outside participating locations are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could shorten the time to accurate breast cancer diagnosis and staging, lower costs, and help patients in low-resource settings begin appropriate treatment sooner.
How similar studies have performed: Digital pathology and AI tools have shown promise in other settings, but combining millifluidic, slide-free imaging with rapid immunofluorescence for point-of-care breast biopsy diagnosis in low-resource countries is largely novel and is now being validated.
Where this research is happening
Davis, United States
- University of California at Davis — Davis, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Levenson, Richard M. — University of California at Davis
- Study coordinator: Levenson, Richard M.
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.