Using gas-filled proteins to improve ultrasound imaging
Official title: Biogenic Gas Nanostructures as Molecular Imaging Reporters for Ultrasound
Funded at California Institute of Technology · NIH-11004036 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new way to improve ultrasound images using special proteins called gas vesicles, which can help doctors see what's happening in cells better, especially for patients with brain tumors, so they can get more accurate diagnoses and treatment updates.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | California Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pasadena, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $637,651 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EB018975-10 |
| Project ID | NIH-11004036 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are patients with brain tumors or other conditions requiring advanced imaging techniques.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions that do not involve the need for enhanced ultrasound imaging may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing ultrasound imaging by developing acoustic biomolecules, specifically gas vesicles (GVs), which are proteins that can be visualized using ultrasound technology. These GVs are derived from buoyant microbes and have been engineered to serve as contrast agents and biosensors for cellular functions, such as gene expression and protease activity. The project aims to create a new class of imaging agents that can provide detailed insights into cellular processes, potentially leading to better diagnosis and treatment monitoring for conditions like brain tumors. Patients may benefit from improved imaging techniques that allow for more precise assessments of their conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate and effective imaging techniques for diagnosing and monitoring tumors and other conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown success in using gas vesicles as imaging agents, indicating a promising avenue for further development in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shapiro, Mikhail — California Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Shapiro, Mikhail
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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.