Improving imaging technology for CAR-T cell therapies and other critical conditions
Official title: Ten-Fold Resolution Boost for Magnetic Particle Imaging with Applications to Rapid, Non-Invasive Imaging of CAR-T Cell Therapies, Stroke, GI Bleeds and Pulmonary Embolisms
Funded at University of California Berkeley · NIH-10929409 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on making a new imaging technology called Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI) even better, so doctors can quickly and safely see if CAR-T cell therapies are working on tumors, and it could also help diagnose serious conditions like strokes and bleeding in just a few days without using radiation.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Berkeley NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Berkeley, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $684,025 |
| NIH project number | 5U01EB034694-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10929409 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include patients undergoing CAR-T cell therapy or those experiencing acute conditions such as strokes, GI bleeds, or pulmonary embolisms.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with stable, non-urgent conditions that do not require immediate imaging or intervention may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing Magnetic Particle Imaging (MPI), a novel imaging technology that allows doctors to quickly and safely determine if CAR-T cell therapies are effectively targeting tumors. Unlike traditional imaging methods that use radiation and take longer to process, MPI offers a non-invasive alternative that can deliver results in just three days. The study aims to improve the spatial resolution of MPI by tenfold, making it suitable for diagnosing life-threatening conditions like strokes, GI bleeds, and pulmonary embolisms. By developing advanced hardware and algorithms, this research seeks to make MPI a standard tool in emergency and personalized medicine.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide patients with faster and safer imaging options for monitoring the effectiveness of CAR-T cell therapies and diagnosing critical health conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results with similar imaging technologies, indicating potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California Berkeley
Berkeley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Conolly, Steven M — University of California Berkeley
- Study coordinator: Conolly, Steven M
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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.