Nanoscale multicolor imaging to see proteins and structures inside cancer tissues
Realizing BRAVE-EM for Nanoscale Multicolor Imaging in Biology: Biological Real-space Absorption Visualization by photoEmission Electron Microscopy
This project develops a new microscope method that helps researchers see different fluorescently labeled proteins together with ultra-fine tissue structure in cancer tissue samples.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11169721 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are building a new imaging method called BRAVE-EM that combines color-specific fluorescence labeling with very high-resolution electron microscopy so they can see where proteins sit inside intact tissue. The technique aims for resolution under 20 nanometers while remaining compatible with modern volume electron microscopy workflows. The team will use the method on cancer tissue samples, including pancreatic tumors, to map cancer-associated fibroblasts and protein patterns in the tumor stroma. The work is lab-based and focuses on tissue imaging rather than testing treatments in patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancer—especially those with pancreatic tumors who are having surgery and agree to donate tissue samples—would be the best candidates to contribute samples for this work.
Not a fit: Patients who do not donate tissue samples or whose cancers are not included (for example, non-pancreatic cancers) are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could give doctors and scientists much clearer maps of how different cells and proteins in tumors interact, which may speed development of better diagnostics and therapies.
How similar studies have performed: Related fluorescence and electron microscopy approaches have improved tissue mapping, but combining multicolor fluorescence with high-resolution volume electron microscopy in whole tissues is a relatively new and still-developing advance.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- University of Chicago — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: King, Sarah Bailey — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: King, Sarah Bailey
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.