New tools to find and track copper in the body
Chemical Probes to Study Copper Biology
['FUNDING_R01'] · PRINCETON UNIVERSITY · NIH-11307628
This project builds chemical tools that light up and identify copper in cells and animal models to help people with diseases linked to copper imbalance, like some cancers and metabolic or neurodegenerative conditions.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | PRINCETON UNIVERSITY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (Princeton, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11307628 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
Researchers are creating chemical probes that light up copper so they can see where copper is located and how it moves inside cells and tissues. They will pair these imaging tools with proteomics methods to find which proteins rely on copper in disease models. The work is done in lab-grown cells and animal models with multiple validation techniques to ensure reliable results. The goal is to create a toolkit that reveals copper-linked changes in diseases and points to possible diagnostic markers or drug targets.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with cancers or metabolic, heart, or neurodegenerative disorders that are thought to involve copper imbalance would be the most relevant candidates for future related studies or trials.
Not a fit: Patients whose conditions are unrelated to copper biology or who seek immediate clinical treatment are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this lab-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could enable new tests to detect harmful copper changes and identify copper-dependent targets for future treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Previous copper imaging and probe studies have shown feasibility, but this work adds novel activity-based sensing and proteomics approaches to expand what can be detected and targeted.
Where this research is happening
Princeton, UNITED STATES
- PRINCETON UNIVERSITY — Princeton, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: CHANG, CHRISTOPHER J. — PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
- Study coordinator: CHANG, CHRISTOPHER 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.
Conditions: Cancer Genes, Cancer-Promoting Gene, Cancers