New single-cell tests to spot tamoxifen-resistant breast cancer cells
Official title: Advanced approaches for biomedical measurements using time-resolved and micro-flow cytometry
Funded at New Mexico State University Las Cruces · NIH-11248772 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project develops faster, more detailed lab tests to detect metabolic changes in breast cancer cells that may signal resistance to tamoxifen.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | New Mexico State University Las Cruces NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Las Cruces, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $364,416 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM152076-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11248772 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with estrogen-receptor–positive breast cancer or those willing to donate tumor tissue for laboratory research would be most relevant to this work.
✕Less likely to help
People without breast cancer or patients not treated with tamoxifen are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this project.
What this research studies
Researchers are building improved instruments that measure individual breast cancer cells as they flow through tiny channels, using light signals that reveal how cells use energy. They will read natural fluorescence from key metabolic molecules (NAD(P)H and FAD) and track how those signals change when cells are treated with tamoxifen. The team aims to create models that predict which cells shift toward treatment-resistant metabolism and to refine methods that could later be used on patient samples. Work is done on cultured breast cancer cells in the lab using time-resolved and microfluidic flow cytometry technology.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help scientists find early signs of tamoxifen resistance and guide development of better treatment strategies for breast cancer patients.
How similar studies have gone: Related optical metabolic imaging approaches have shown promise in spotting metabolic changes, but applying time-resolved flow cytometry to predict tamoxifen resistance is a newer and less tested approach.
Where this research is happening
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New Mexico State University Las Cruces
Las Cruces, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Houston, Jessica Perea — New Mexico State University Las Cruces
- Study coordinator: Houston, Jessica Perea
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.