Triboelectric mass spectrometry imaging for kidney cancer
Triboelectric Ambient Mass Spectrometry Imaging of Renal Cell Carcinomas
This project uses a new triboelectric mass spectrometry imaging method to map molecules in kidney cancer tissue and reveal chemical changes in tumors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Georgia Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Atlanta, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11136399 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will build a new imaging source that uses a triboelectric nanogenerator to help the mass spectrometer detect lipids and small molecules in thin slices of kidney tumors. They will compare its performance with current imaging methods like MALDI and DESI using de-identified clear cell renal carcinoma tissue from a biobank. The approach is designed to improve sensitivity for low-polarity lipids and to generate structural information through controlled gas-phase reactions. Results could help pinpoint molecular changes that occur in tumors over time or after treatments and guide future biomarker or therapy studies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with clear cell renal cell carcinoma who can donate tumor tissue to a biobank or be considered for related future studies.
Not a fit: Patients without kidney cancer or those seeking immediate treatment changes are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this laboratory-focused project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could produce more detailed chemical maps of kidney tumors that help researchers discover biomarkers and tailor future treatments.
How similar studies have performed: Previous lab work shows TENG-coupled mass spectrometry can boost sensitivity for hard-to-ionize lipids, but applying it to human kidney tumor tissue is novel.
Where this research is happening
Atlanta, United States
- Georgia Institute of Technology — Atlanta, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Fernandez, Facundo Martin — Georgia Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Fernandez, Facundo Martin
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.