Noninvasive measurement of how much water is inside individual cells
Measuring single-cell water content non invasively and with high precision
['FUNDING_R01'] · MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY · NIH-11180124
A new lab method to measure the exact amount of water inside single cells and small tissue samples so doctors and scientists can better understand conditions tied to cellular water balance.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CAMBRIDGE, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11180124 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
If you or your doctor want to know how much water is inside cells from your blood or a lab-grown tissue, this project aims to make that measurement without damaging the cells. The team will combine two previously developed techniques to determine each cell's total volume and its dry (solid) volume, and then calculate the cell's water content from those measurements. The method is intended to work on single cells and small organoids, allow repeated measurements of the same sample over time, and handle immune cells and patient-derived tissues. The goal is a precise, noninvasive, and relatively high-throughput way to monitor water content during growth, differentiation, or drug exposure.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People who might take part would be those willing to provide biological samples such as blood, immune cells, or tissues used to grow organoids—for example patients with disorders affecting water channels (aquaporin-related conditions) or volunteers providing samples for research.
Not a fit: Patients seeking an immediate clinical treatment benefit or those without conditions affecting cellular water balance and not providing samples are unlikely to receive direct benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this method could help identify and guide treatments for diseases where cellular water balance is disrupted and speed discovery of drugs that correct those problems.
How similar studies have performed: The work builds on two measurement approaches previously developed by the investigators, but a direct, noninvasive single-cell water-content measurement is novel and not yet established in clinical samples.
Where this research is happening
CAMBRIDGE, UNITED STATES
- MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY — CAMBRIDGE, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: MANALIS, SCOTT R — MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
- Study coordinator: MANALIS, SCOTT R
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.