Handheld imaging to map skin changes in autoimmune disease
Official title: Handheld Spatial Frequency Domain Imaging using Spiral Illumination for Skin Imaging
Funded at Boston University (Charles River Campus) · NIH-11381002 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small, non-invasive handheld device uses light to map skin changes in autoimmune diseases like systemic sclerosis to help catch the disease early.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston University (Charles River Campus) NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2025 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $623,036 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EB037660-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11381002 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with systemic sclerosis or related autoimmune skin involvement who can undergo non-invasive skin imaging.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without autoimmune skin involvement or those unable to tolerate non-invasive imaging.
What this research studies
This project centers on using a portable optical imaging technique called spatial-frequency domain imaging (SFDI) to measure skin properties in people with systemic sclerosis and other autoimmune conditions. The goal is to provide objective, repeatable skin assessments that can detect subtle changes early, potentially guiding timely treatment. It’s designed to be quick, painless, and suitable for repeated use in clinic or research settings, with results that clinicians can track over time. By focusing on skin involvement, the study aims to improve understanding of disease progression and response to therapy from the patient’s perspective.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive earlier and more accurate monitoring of skin involvement, potentially improving outcomes through timely treatment adjustments.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data show SFDI can detect skin changes not visible by palpation in systemic sclerosis, suggesting potential for reliable skin monitoring.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston University (Charles River Campus)
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Roblyer, Darren Michael — Boston University (Charles River Campus)
- Study coordinator: Roblyer, Darren Michael
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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.