Non-invasive infrared biodosimetry to triage radiation exposure
Official title: Fourier transform infrared biodosimetry on skin
Funded at University of Calif-Lawrenc Berkeley Lab · NIH-11417216 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A painless imaging approach using FTIR-ATR on skin aims to quickly tell if someone has been exposed to radiation and how much, helping triage after an emergency.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Calif-Lawrenc Berkeley Lab NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Berkeley, United States) |
| Project start | September 16, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $197,930 |
| NIH project number | 5R21AI194031-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11417216 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals at risk of radiological exposure or tissue samples from exposed patients may be used to develop signatures.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals not exposed to radiation or those without skin tissue exposure may not benefit from the imaging signatures.
What this research studies
This project develops a skin-based biodosimeter that uses infrared imaging and machine learning to identify radiation exposure. It tests signatures in human skin explants and builds models to distinguish irradiated from unirradiated tissue and to estimate dose and time since exposure. The work also uses ambient infrared laser ablation mass spectrometry to uncover the molecules behind the signature, with the goal of enabling deployable skin imaging for large-scale screening in radiological events.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could enable rapid, non-invasive triage after radiation exposure, guiding timely medical attention.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary mouse data show discriminative signatures at low doses and long time windows, with plans to extend to human tissue—progress is promising but early.
Where this research is happening
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University of Calif-Lawrenc Berkeley Lab
Berkeley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Inman, Jamie L — University of Calif-Lawrenc Berkeley Lab
- Study coordinator: Inman, Jamie L
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.