RadBot: AI-powered platform to discover systemic protections against UV damage
Official title: RadBot: Next-Generation Drug Discovery for Environmental Stress Resistance Using Longevity Biology
Funded at Ora Biomedical, INC. · NIH-11409024 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A new AI-driven system screens compounds to boost the body’s own defenses against UV-induced skin damage and aging, with potential for future skin cancer prevention.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ora Biomedical, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Tukwila, United States) |
| Project start | September 22, 2026 |
| Project end | September 21, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $299,783 |
| NIH project number | 1R43AG102309-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11409024 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals at risk for UV-related skin damage and aging who may benefit from future systemic protective therapies.
✕Less likely to help
People not exposed to UV risk or who do not respond to the identified compounds in early testing.
What this research studies
This project uses an automated computer-vision and AI analytics platform to test how cells and human-relevant models respond to UV exposure and identify compounds that strengthen systemic resilience. It builds on aging biology findings to develop therapies that could reduce UV-related damage beyond surface protection. The work includes demonstrations in human cells and early testing in models to reveal which compounds might prevent skin aging and cancer risk.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to systemic treatments that complement sunscreens to lower skin cancer risk and aging-related skin damage.
How similar studies have gone: Previous aging- and DNA-damage–focused research supports the concept, but a dedicated UV-systemic protector is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
Ora Biomedical, INC.
Tukwila, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Blue, Benjamin W. — Ora Biomedical, INC.
- Study coordinator: Blue, Benjamin W.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Improving the reliability of research using the C. elegans model organism
This study is working on making experiments with tiny worms called Caenorhabditis elegans more consistent and reliable, which could help scientists better understand aging and related health issues that might benefit people in the long run.
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.