New imaging method to map collagen structure and chemistry in tumor tissue
A novel multimodal ECM analysis platform for tumor characterization combining morphological and spectrochemical tissue imaging approaches.
This project builds a laboratory imaging approach to reveal structural and chemical changes in tumors for people with cancers such as breast, ovarian, and pancreatic cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11127777 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are combining two tissue-imaging techniques to look at the extracellular matrix (ECM) that surrounds tumor cells, focusing on collagen architecture and molecular chemistry. One technique maps collagen fibers at high resolution and the other provides chemical signatures across whole tissue sections using enhanced infrared spectroscopy on nanophotonic substrates. The methods are spatially matched so that structural features can be directly linked to specific molecular changes in the same tissue area. Work uses human tumor tissue samples (for example, from breast, ovary, and pancreas) to develop imaging markers that could later help predict disease behavior or response to therapy.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with solid epithelial tumors such as breast, ovarian, or pancreatic cancer who can donate biopsy or surgical tissue samples to the research team or a partnering tissue bank.
Not a fit: Patients without solid epithelial tumors or those seeking an immediate change in their current treatment are unlikely to receive direct clinical benefit from this lab-based imaging project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could produce new tissue markers that help doctors better understand tumor aggressiveness and guide treatment decisions.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work using collagen-specific imaging (SHG) has successfully distinguished cancerous from normal tissues, but combining that with surface-enhanced mid-infrared chemical imaging is a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
Madison, United States
- University of Wisconsin-Madison — Madison, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Campagnola, Paul J — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Campagnola, Paul 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.