# Massive wavelength-division multiplexing and imaging with laser particles

> **NIH NIH DP1** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 2020 · $1,160,869

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Fluorescence is the current standard method of choice for intravital microscopy and cytometry.
However, the broad emission spectrum of fluorescent probes⎯dyes, fluorescent probes, and
quantum dots⎯limits the number of cells that can be tracked simultaneously without ambiguity.
DNA barcodes can label cells but cannot be visualized in vivo, as they require in vitro genetic
reading. The optical principle of stimulated emission and cavity resonance used in a laser can
generate extremely narrow spectral line-widths over a broad spectral range. This project will
miniaturize lasers to the sizes of mitochondria or viruses and develop instrumentations to utilize
the laser particles as novel probes for massively parallel imaging and assays. By tracing
individual cells over time in mice, the proliferation, migrations and cell-cell and cell-tissue
interactions can be studied in vivo. The cells can be further analyzed by flow cytometry and
sorted for gene profiling and single-cell RNA sequencing, providing comprehensive information
from molecular, cellular, tissue, and systems levels over millions to billions of cells in a single
animal experiment. The first specific aim is to create a new paradigm for imaging-compatible
cellular labeling using injectable, biocompatible micro- and submicron-cavity lasers. The second
aim is to develop Laser Particle Stimulated Emission (LASE) Microscopy for conducting labeled
microscopy in vivo at depths of up to 3 mm. The third specific aim is to demonstrate massively
multiplexed, high-throughput cell tracking and analysis. The breakthrough capabilities will be
used to dissect tumor heterogeneity in progression, metastasis, and response to therapy at
unprecedented single-cell resolution.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10002334
- **Project number:** 5DP1EB024242-05
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Seok-Hyun Andy Yun
- **Activity code:** DP1 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $1,160,869
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2016-09-30 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10002334

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10002334, Massive wavelength-division multiplexing and imaging with laser particles (5DP1EB024242-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-29 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10002334. Licensed CC0.

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