Live, self-reported RNA signals in living cells for real-time molecular reading
Official title: Cellular self-reporting: Live-cell RNA-seq with single-cell resolution
Funded at Broad Institute, INC. · NIH-11450298 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This grant aims to let living cells reveal their own RNA patterns over time using a self-reporting system so researchers can study dynamic biology without destroying the cells.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Broad Institute, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $694,642 |
| NIH project number | 1R01CA303695-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11450298 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates include individuals with conditions where cellular dynamics and treatment responses are critical to understand, particularly in diseases where living-cell readouts could guide therapy choices.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions not tied to dynamic cellular profiling or those not undergoing therapies that rely on live-cell measurements may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
The project builds a method for living cells to continuously reveal their molecular state by secreting RNAs that can be read later, enabling time-resolved, high-multiplex molecular profiling. It addresses a key limitation in current ‘omics approaches that require cell destruction, aiming to monitor dynamic processes in living cells and, potentially, in living organisms. The approach leverages a biomimetic design compatible with standard sequencing readouts to capture transcript information without killing the cells. This work could transform how we study cellular responses to changes over time by enabling repeated measurements on the same cells. The project is rooted in foundational biology but seeks direct relevance to human health by advancing live-cell molecular readouts.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from more precise understanding of how cells respond to therapies over time, informing better-targeted treatments.
How similar studies have gone: Previous proof-of-concept work showed that live-cell RNA readouts are possible, suggesting potential for further development, though large-scale clinical translation remains to be demonstrated.
Where this research is happening
-
Broad Institute, INC.
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Blainey, Paul Clark — Broad Institute, INC.
- Study coordinator: Blainey, Paul Clark
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.