NIH-funded research R15 grant

Improving the purification process for fluorescent probes used to measure pH levels in organelles

Official title: Preparative binary pump HPLC system with UV and refractive index detector capabilities

Funded at Michigan Technological University · NIH-11034415 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is working on creating better tools to measure pH levels inside cells more quickly and accurately, which will help scientists understand how cells work, and it's aimed at researchers who study cellular functions.

Quick facts

Grant typeR15 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMichigan Technological University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Houghton, United States)
Project startSeptember 18, 2023
Project endAugust 31, 2026
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$77,283
NIH project number3R15GM152969-01S1
Project IDNIH-11034415 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include individuals with conditions related to cellular dysfunction or metabolic disorders where pH measurement is critical.

Less likely to help

Patients with conditions unrelated to cellular pH levels or those not requiring advanced imaging techniques may not benefit from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing fluorescent probes that can accurately measure pH levels within cellular organelles. The current method of synthesizing these probes is inefficient due to the use of silica gel chromatography, which causes delays. By acquiring a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system, the research aims to enhance the purification process, making it faster and more effective. This improvement is crucial for producing high-quality probes that can provide better insights into cellular functions.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more efficient production of advanced fluorescent probes, improving our understanding of cellular processes.

How similar studies have gone: Similar research approaches using high-performance liquid chromatography have shown promise in improving the efficiency of chemical synthesis and purification processes.

Where this research is happening

  • Michigan Technological University
    Houghton, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Luck, Rudy Lin — Michigan Technological University
  • Study coordinator: Luck, Rudy Lin

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About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.