Tracking immune cells in the body using ultrasound
Imaging of macrophage trafficking with ultrasound
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 ID | NIH-10799226 on NIH RePORTER |
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.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions that involve macrophage activity, such as cancer or cardiovascular diseases.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to macrophage activity or those who are not eligible for imaging studies may not benefit from this research.
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 performed: 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
Atlanta, United States
- Georgia Institute of Technology — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Arvanitis, Konstantinos-Costas — Georgia Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Arvanitis, Konstantinos-Costas
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 below.