New imaging tool to study immune cells in live tissue

Dynamic immune profiling in live tissue through multiplexed virtual staining

NIH-funded research University of Washington · NIH-11039938

This study is working on a new imaging tool that helps scientists see how immune cells behave in real tissues, which could lead to better ways to understand and treat diseases like cancer and autoimmune disorders.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Washington NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Seattle, United States)
Project IDNIH-11039938 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing an innovative optical imaging tool that allows for the dynamic profiling of immune cells within live tissue at a single-cell level. By observing immune cells in their natural environment, researchers aim to understand how these cells interact and function, which is crucial for addressing diseases like cancer and autoimmune disorders. The approach overcomes limitations of existing techniques that require tissue dissociation, thus preserving spatial information and providing insights into immune responses in real-time. This could lead to better understanding and treatment strategies for various health conditions.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with cancer or autoimmune disorders who may benefit from enhanced immune profiling.

Not a fit: Patients with stable, non-immune related conditions may not receive direct benefits from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to breakthroughs in understanding immune responses, potentially improving treatments for cancer and autoimmune diseases.

How similar studies have performed: While similar imaging techniques have shown promise, this approach is novel in its focus on live tissue and dynamic immune profiling.

Where this research is happening

Seattle, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions anti-cancer immunotherapyanticancer immunotherapyAutoimmune Diseasesautoimmune disorderautoimmunity disease
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.