Non-invasive skin biomarkers for radiation exposure
Official title: Identification and non-invasive measurement of biomarkers of radiation exposure in human skin
Funded at Brigham and Women's Hospital · NIH-11400452 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study to find and measure skin biomarkers that indicate radiation exposure using a painless tape-stripping method on skin.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brigham and Women's Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | July 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $589,496 |
| NIH project number | 5U01AI189403-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11400452 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21 years and older, including seniors 65+ who may be exposed to radiation and could participate in biomarker testing.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without skin exposure to radiation or those not meeting study criteria may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses human skin grafts on mice to identify protein and RNA markers that change after different levels of radiation. Researchers will map when these markers appear and how they differ across low to high radiation exposure. They will develop a quick, non-invasive test that can be used at the point of care to detect radiation exposure in people. The work uses advanced imaging and profiling techniques to translate findings into a practical test.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the test could quickly identify radiation exposure in patients using a simple skin swab, enabling faster triage and treatment.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary data show that certain keratinocyte markers respond to radiation and can discriminate exposure levels, supporting further development.
Where this research is happening
-
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Clark, Rachael Ann — Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Study coordinator: Clark, Rachael Ann
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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.