Tracking immune cells in the body using ultrasound
Official title: Imaging of macrophage trafficking with ultrasound
Funded at Georgia Institute of Technology · NIH-10799226 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how ultrasound can help us see immune cells called macrophages moving around in the body, which could lead to better ways to diagnose and monitor diseases without needing invasive procedures.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgia Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project start | September 20, 2024 |
| Project end | September 19, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $365,523 |
| NIH project number | 1R21EB035375-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10799226 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions that involve macrophage activity, such as cancer or cardiovascular diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to macrophage activity or those who are not eligible for imaging studies may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how ultrasound can be used to visualize the movement of macrophages, a type of immune cell, within the body. By labeling these cells with special contrast agents, the study aims to enhance the imaging quality, allowing for better detection of macrophage activity in various tissues. The approach involves testing the imaging capabilities in laboratory settings before applying it to live mice, with the goal of improving diagnosis and monitoring of diseases. This innovative method could provide a non-invasive way to assess immune responses in real-time.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic tools for monitoring diseases like cancer and cardiovascular conditions.
How similar studies have gone: While ultrasound imaging has been explored in various contexts, this specific application for macrophage tracking is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Georgia Institute of Technology
Atlanta, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Arvanitis, Konstantinos-Costas — Georgia Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Arvanitis, Konstantinos-Costas
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Modulating deep brain activity with focused ultrasound for cocaine use disorder
A study will test whether targeting a deep brain region with focused ultrasound can alter brain signals related to craving in people with cocaine use disorder.
-
Dose-Dependent Brain Wire Modulation with Light Ultrasound in Deep White Matter
A small early study tests whether gentle, noninvasive ultrasound can change how deep brain white matter tracts work in healthy adults.
-
Ultrasound-guided brain circuit targets for treatment-resistant depression
This grant tests whether focused ultrasound can safely and reversibly adjust brain circuits linked to negative mood in people with treatment-resistant depression.
-
Ultrasound biomarkers to diagnose and predict treatment response for plantar heel pain
A study will test advanced ultrasound imaging to find biomarkers that help diagnose plantar heel pain and predict who will respond to targeted treatments.
-
Brain ultrasound and microcirculation to understand early brain development in HIV-exposed uninfected infants
We’re studying how brain ultrasound and blood flow patterns in newborns exposed to HIV and antiretroviral drugs (but not infected) relate to their early neurodevelopment.
-
A 3D ultrasound scanner to see early chemotherapy response in breast cancer
A new 3D ultrasound imaging method will be tested to see if it can quickly show whether breast cancer is responding to chemotherapy.
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.