Organometallic sensors to detect small molecules in cells
Official title: Organometallic Sensors for Cellular Small Molecule Detection
Funded at University of Denver (Colorado Seminary) · NIH-11357585 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A researcher is developing special metal-based probes to sense important molecules inside living cells, with potential to reveal how diseases like cancer and heart or brain disorders progress.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Denver (Colorado Seminary) NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Denver, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $367,227 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM150937-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11357585 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with cancers, cardiovascular diseases, or neurodegenerative disorders could potentially benefit from improved biomarkers and diagnostic tools.
✕Less likely to help
This research is primarily a development-stage project; direct benefit to individual patients during the study may be limited.
What this research studies
This project aims to create and test metal-containing sensors that operate inside biological systems to detect molecules such as carbon monoxide and other signaling species. The work builds on recent advances in profluorescent sensors and abiotic catalysts adapted for biology, using technologies like BODIPY-based probes. By validating these sensors in cellular contexts, the study hopes to provide new tools for understanding disease-related chemical signals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from more precise detection of disease-related molecular changes, enabling earlier diagnosis and better monitoring of treatment responses.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary work with profluorescent sensors and ethylene probes has shown promise in biological systems, supporting further development.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Denver (Colorado Seminary)
Denver, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Michel, Brian — University of Denver (Colorado Seminary)
- Study coordinator: Michel, Brian
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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.