Single-cell phospho-proteomics to map breast tumor microenvironment
Official title: Single-cell (phospho-)proteomics platform for functional analysis of tumor microenvironment
Funded at Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories · NIH-11394417 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A researcher will develop a new, highly sensitive single-cell proteomics tool to map proteins and phosphorylation in breast cancer tumor environments, helping doctors tailor treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richland, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $445,717 |
| NIH project number | 5R33CA287139-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11394417 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are adults with breast cancer whose tumors are accessible for biopsy or fresh tissue analysis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose tumors are not biopsied or whose tissue cannot be processed for single-cell proteomics may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project aims to profile individual cells within breast cancer tumors by measuring proteins and their phosphorylation patterns at the single-cell level. It will advance mass spectrometry methods to overcome current limits in sensitivity and phospho-enrichment, enabling a more complete view of the tumor microenvironment. By linking protein activity to cell types in the tumor, the work could inform personalized therapy decisions for patients with breast cancer.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could lead to more precise identification of actionable targets and better-informed treatment choices for breast cancer patients.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary single-cell omics studies show the value of cell-level insights, but single-cell phospho-proteomics remains technically challenging and this work is pushing that boundary.
Where this research is happening
-
Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories
Richland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shi, Tujin — Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratories
- Study coordinator: Shi, Tujin
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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.