Ultra-sensitive proteomics for tiny clinical samples
Official title: Robust ultra-high sensitivity proteomic technologies for limited samples
Funded at Northeastern University · NIH-11399686 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A project to create highly sensitive protein and multiomic analysis tools that can work with very small patient samples to help understand disease biology and guide personalized treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northeastern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2020 |
| Project end | August 31, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $435,840 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM136421-07 |
| Project ID | NIH-11399686 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients whose biopsy or biospecimen samples are too small for conventional analyses but could benefit from detailed proteomic profiling (e.g., rare cell populations or limited clinical samples).
✕Less likely to help
Patients whose samples are not suitable for the new technologies or whose disease biology is not addressed by the developed platforms may not benefit.
What this research studies
This grant focuses on developing new proteomic technologies that can analyze scarce biological samples like microbiopsies and single cells. The goal is to measure proteins, their modifications, and other molecules with high sensitivity to reveal disease-related patterns. Researchers will test these methods on limited patient-derived samples to enable better diagnostics and therapy decisions. The work aims to translate complex molecular information into practical biomarkers for personalized medicine.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could receive more precise diagnostics and tailor-made therapies based on detailed molecular profiles from small samples.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary high-sensitivity proteomics approaches have shown promise in small-sample contexts, but this project seeks to push beyond current limits with new platforms.
Where this research is happening
-
Northeastern University
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ivanov, Alexander R. — Northeastern University
- Study coordinator: Ivanov, Alexander R.
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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.