Measuring how molecules interact in real biological samples to help cancer care
Quantification of molecular interactions across the matrix spectrum enables cancer research.
['FUNDING_OTHER'] · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY · NIH-11172486
This project is building a new lab device that reads molecule-to-molecule interactions in real patient samples to help speed up cancer diagnosis, find better biomarkers, and guide treatment choices.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_OTHER'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (Nashville, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11172486 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
From a patient's point of view, the team is developing a sensitive, label-free lab tool that can measure how proteins and other molecules bind to each other directly in blood, tumor fluid, or other complex samples without altering them. The tool uses a new interferometry reader and a mix-and-read assay so samples need little preparation and can be tested in their native state. That makes it possible to study weak or unusual interactions, test full-length membrane proteins, and compare results across many types of biological material on a single platform. The developers aim to use these measurements to speed up biomarker discovery, improve diagnostic tests, and even make ex-vivo drug-binding tests that could inform first-in-human dosing.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with cancer who are willing to provide blood, tumor samples, or other clinical specimens for laboratory testing.
Not a fit: People without cancer or those who cannot or do not want to provide clinical samples are unlikely to directly benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to faster and more accurate biomarker tests, better matching of treatments to patients, and improved guidance for early drug dosing.
How similar studies have performed: This approach is novel and builds on other label-free interaction methods, with promising laboratory data but limited demonstration yet using patient-derived samples in clinical settings.
Where this research is happening
Nashville, UNITED STATES
- VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY — Nashville, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: BORNHOP, DARRYL J. — VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: BORNHOP, DARRYL J.
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 below.