Imaging-powered flow cytometry to study cancer cells and tiny particles
Official title: Imaging-Enabled Flow Cytometry for Enhancing Extracellular Vesicle, Lipid Nanoparticle, and Cell Morphology Characterization
Funded at University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez · NIH-11363266 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new high-performance instrument will let researchers in Puerto Rico study cancer cells, extracellular vesicles, and lipid particles more clearly by combining imaging with advanced flow cytometry.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Mayaguez, United States) |
| Project start | August 5, 2026 |
| Project end | August 4, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $249,049 |
| NIH project number | 1S10GM164758-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11363266 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Researchers and clinicians working on cancer biology, extracellular vesicles, or lipid nanoparticle–based therapies at institutions that use these technologies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not involved in these specific basic science to translational tool developments may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project funds the purchase of an Attune CytPix Flow Cytometer that simultaneously captures bright-field images and multiple fluorescence signals. The device enables real-time, high-throughput analysis of cells and nanoscale particles as small as 100 nm, with over 25 morphological parameters to improve data interpretation. Researchers aim to use this tool to characterize extracellular vesicles, lipid nanoparticles, and cancer-related cell phenotypes under different environmental and therapeutic conditions. The upgrade will fill infrastructure gaps, enhance quality control, and support NIH- and NSF-funded cancer biology and regenerative medicine studies at UPRM.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from faster, more accurate analyses of cancer-related particles and cells, supporting advances in diagnostics and therapeutics.
How similar studies have gone: Other labs have shown that integrating imaging with flow cytometry improves small-particle analysis, but this instrument uniquely expands capabilities for 100 nm particles and high-throughput imaging.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez
Mayaguez, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mora-Navarro, Camilo Andres — University of Puerto Rico Mayaguez
- Study coordinator: Mora-Navarro, Camilo Andres
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.