New technology for tracking individual cell behavior using DNA barcodes

DNA-optical barcoding technology for spatiotemporal single-cell analysis

NIH-funded research Lase Innovation INC. · NIH-11251484

This study is testing a new way to track and understand how individual cells work in living systems, which could help scientists learn more about diseases and improve lab techniques for everyone.

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 2 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionLase Innovation INC. NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Waltham, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11251484 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing a novel cellular barcoding technology that combines live imaging with single-cell sequencing to better understand how individual cells behave in complex biological systems. By using dual-barcoded laser particles, researchers can identify and track cells during imaging and sequencing, allowing for a more accurate analysis of cellular functions. The project will initially demonstrate the feasibility of this technology on a small scale, followed by efforts to scale up and commercialize the approach for broader use in laboratories.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions that involve complex cellular behaviors, such as cancer or other diseases where cell function is critical.

Not a fit: Patients with stable, non-complex conditions that do not involve significant cellular behavior changes may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly enhance our understanding of cellular behavior, leading to improved diagnostics and treatments for various diseases, including cancer.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using barcoding technologies for cellular analysis, indicating that this approach could lead to significant advancements in the field.

Where this research is happening

Waltham, 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.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 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.