Microscopy Imaging Center core to support microbiome research
Official title: Microscopy Imaging Center for Research through Observation (MICRO) Core
Funded at University of Hawaii at Manoa · NIH-11392468 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A core imaging facility in Hawaii provides advanced microscopes and training to help researchers study microbes, their hosts, and environments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Hawaii at Manoa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Honolulu, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2018 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $130,318 |
| NIH project number | 5P20GM125508-09 |
| Project ID | NIH-11392468 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable; this is a core facility grant rather than a patient study
✕Less likely to help
No direct patient benefits from this core grant
What this research studies
This grant funds the MICRO Core at UH Mānoa to supply state-of-the-art imaging instruments and expert support for studying microorganisms and their relationships with tissues and surroundings. Phase 2 aims to modernize equipment, add an image-analysis workstation, incorporate histology, and expand training in new fluorescence imaging techniques. The core serves as a centralized resource to enable researchers to visualize microbes at high resolution and analyze their interactions in biological samples. Researchers can access TEM, SEM, confocal microscopy, laser microdissection, and optical tweezers through this facility.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Patients and the public may benefit indirectly by accelerating discoveries about microbiomes and their impact on health
How similar studies have gone: Previous phases demonstrated successful expansion and modernization of imaging capabilities in this core
Where this research is happening
-
University of Hawaii at Manoa
Honolulu, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Culley, Alexander — University of Hawaii at Manoa
- Study coordinator: Culley, Alexander
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Using laser technology to improve anal cancer screening for HIV-positive patients
This study is testing a new, gentle way to check for anal dysplasia in people with HIV, using a special laser technique that could make screenings easier and more comfortable than the usual methods.
-
Predicting microbial virulence from genome sequences with language models
A research project aims to use advanced AI models trained on genetic sequences to predict how dangerous different microbes might be, helping doctors and public health teams respond more quickly.
-
Early sensory development and language in infants/toddlers at risk for autism
A family-friendly study exploring how early sensory responses relate to language development in young children who have siblings with autism.
-
Ola Hawaii Research Capacity Core: strengthening health research resources
A national-level core facility at the University of Hawaii at Manoa helps researchers do health-related studies by providing high-quality data, biostatistics, clinical research support, and community engagement resources.
-
Personalized nutrition tools using mobile and image-based methods
This grant supports creating and validating mobile and image-based dietary tools to better connect dietary data with cancer and chronic disease outcomes for people across diverse populations.
-
PILI ‘Āina: Gardened foods, culturally rooted health for Native Hawaiian adults
A community program helps overweight Native Hawaiian adults eat healthier, lose weight, and lower heart-disease risk through culturally tailored education and at-home gardening.
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.