Target-Specific Dyes with Long-Lived Fluorescence for Biological Insight
Official title: Target-Specific Dyes with Responsive Long-Lived Fluorescence Lifetimes for Biological Interrogation
Funded at Trustees of Indiana University · NIH-11415492 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are developing special fluorescent dyes that glow longer and change with cellular signals, helping doctors and scientists understand how cells communicate.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Trustees of Indiana University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bloomington, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2025 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $382,026 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM157146-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11415492 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are researchers and clinicians using FLIM or flow cytometry to study cellular signaling and membrane biology; future translation could benefit patients with diseases where these processes go awry.
✕Less likely to help
Direct patient benefits are not immediate; primary gains are in advancing research tools used to study diseases.
What this research studies
This grant aims to create and test new organic dyes whose glow lasts longer and responds to cellular conditions. By using fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) and time-resolved flow cytometry, these dyes could reveal protein interactions and membrane environments with greater precision. The work focuses on designing dyes with thermally activated delayed fluorescence so they show two long-lasting lifetimes that respond to mechanical, temperature, or voltage changes in cells. This could improve how we study cellular signaling and dynamics in health and disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this technology could provide sharper, more informative cellular images, aiding diagnosis and research into how cells communicate.
How similar studies have gone: Prior dyes with longer lifetimes have shown promise, but this project aims to extend lifetime responsiveness and reliability.
Where this research is happening
-
Trustees of Indiana University
Bloomington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Vázquez, Ricardo Javier — Trustees of Indiana University
- Study coordinator: Vázquez, Ricardo Javier
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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.