NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Photon-efficient fluorescence imaging to study multiple signals in cells

Official title: Photon-Efficient Spectral Lifetime Microscopy

Funded at Salk Institute for Biological Studies · NIH-11430253 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A high-tech imaging project to visualize many different cellular signals at once using advanced light-smart microscopy.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionSalk Institute for Biological Studies
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (La Jolla, UNITED STATES)
Project startAugust 10, 2026
Project endApril 30, 2031
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$475,249
NIH project number1R35GM166021-01
Project IDNIH-11430253 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates are researchers and laboratories using fluorescence microscopy to study cellular signaling and disease-related biology.

Less likely to help

Direct patient participation is not described in this grant; the work is primarily methodological development.

What this research studies

This grant aims to develop new fluorescence microscopy methods that let scientists track many molecular signals inside living cells at the same time, using photon-efficient lifetime and spectral imaging. By pushing the limits of how much information can be captured per photon, it will provide clearer, more detailed pictures of how cellular components communicate. The work combines innovative optical technology with rigorous testing to determine how many signals and interactions can be resolved in complex cell environments.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, patients could benefit from faster, more precise insights into cellular processes that drive health and disease, informing future diagnostics and therapies.

How similar studies have gone: Previous imaging methods improved through advanced optics; this project seeks to exceed current multiplexing limits and remains at the technology-development stage.

Where this research is happening

  • Salk Institute for Biological Studies
    La Jolla, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Bowman, Adam Joseph — Salk Institute for Biological Studies
  • Study coordinator: Bowman, Adam Joseph

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About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.