Parallelized computational microscope platform for high-throughput 3D imaging of patient-derived organoids
Official title: A parallelized computational microscope platform for high-throughput live imaging of patient-derived organoids
Funded at Ramona Optics, INC. · NIH-11350904 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new imaging platform will rapidly capture 3D, live videos of patient-derived organoids to speed up cancer research.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ramona Optics, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | June 7, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,000,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R44CA285197-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11350904 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with cancers where organoid models can be derived and studied in high-throughput experiments.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without access to organoid-derived research or without cancer types modeled in the project may not benefit directly.
What this research studies
This project aims to build MCAM-96, a computational microscope that can image many organoids in 3D much faster than current systems and simultaneously record live videos to study how cells move and behave over time. It will include open-source software that analyzes organoid shapes and dynamics, providing time-based metrics. Researchers hope to use this to discover new cancer treatment insights using organoid models from patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from faster discovery of effective cancer therapies tailored to organoid models of their tumors.
How similar studies have gone: Other high-content 3D organoid imaging efforts have shown promise, but this project aims to substantially increase throughput and temporal detail.
Where this research is happening
-
Ramona Optics, INC.
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Harfouche, Mark — Ramona Optics, INC.
- Study coordinator: Harfouche, Mark
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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.