New imaging tool to study immune cells in live tissue
Official title: Dynamic immune profiling in live tissue through multiplexed virtual staining
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-11039938 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | February 19, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $220,726 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI183174-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11039938 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with cancer or autoimmune disorders who may benefit from enhanced immune profiling.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with stable, non-immune related conditions may not receive direct benefits from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fu, Dan — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Fu, Dan
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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.