Measuring water content in single cells non-invasively
Official title: Measuring single-cell water content non invasively and with high precision
Funded at Massachusetts Institute of Technology · NIH-10917156 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking for a new way to measure how much water is inside individual cells or small groups of cells, called organoids, without causing any harm, so that scientists can better understand how these cells work and how diseases that affect water movement in cells might behave.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $318,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R01GM150901-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10917156 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research would include individuals with genetic diseases affecting water channels or conditions where cellular water content is disrupted.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to cellular water content or those who do not have access to the research facilities may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to develop a new method for measuring the water content of individual cells or clusters of cells, known as organoids, without invasive procedures. By understanding how much water is present in these cells, researchers hope to gain insights into various cellular functions and the impact of diseases that affect water channels in cell membranes. The approach involves integrating measurements of total and dry cell volume to provide precise data on water content, which can be monitored over time during cell growth, differentiation, or drug exposure.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to better understanding and treatment of diseases related to cellular water content, potentially improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: While the fundamental role of cellular water content is well recognized, this specific non-invasive measurement approach is novel and has not been extensively tested in previous research.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Manalis, Scott R — Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Manalis, Scott R
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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.