# Pdot Enabled Cyclic Imaging Cytometry

> **NIH NIH R43** · LAMPROGEN, INC. · 2020 · $149,800

## Abstract

Project Summary
 For modern flow cytometry, high-throughput multiplexing is extremely important because of
the great need in analyzing a large number of biomolecules on and in a single cell. This trend is
driven by precision medicine and the need to analyze an ever increasing number of immune-cell
subtypes (e.g. in immune-oncology). Highly multiplexed cellular analysis using flow cytometry,
however, is challenging. To address this limitation of flow cytometry, we propose to develop a
Cyclic Imaging Cytometry (CIC) platform that can be developed to offer a simple automated
workflow.
 The concept behind CIC is straightforward, involving the following steps: 1) Rapid labeling of
cells with a large color panel of fluorescent probes against different cellular markers; 2) Perform
sensitive and rapid fluorescence imaging; 3) Rapid de-staining of the labeled cells; 4) Iterate
steps 1-3 to achieve a large number of imaged biomarkers. While the concept of sequential
labeling and de-staining has been explored by many research groups over the years, especially
in the context of tissue imaging, this approach thus far has not been able to offer the same level
of sensitivity and throughput that is routinely provided by flow cytometry.
 Recently, we and others have developed fluorescent nanoparticles based on
semiconducting polymers called Pdots. The motivation of adapting fluorescent semiconducting
polymers into nanoparticle labels stems from a number of favorable characteristics, such as
large absorptivity, high quantum yield, fast emission rates, and excellent photostability. The
resulting Pdots exhibit extraordinarily high fluorescence brightness, a factor of 102 - 104 higher
than conventional dyes, and a factor of 10-103 higher than Qdots depending on the particle size.
With the development and availability of Pdots, we believe we can develop CIC to exceed the
level of performance offered by flow cytometry.
 Specifically, the high brightness of Pdots enables high sensitivity imaging and detection of
cellular biomarkers, even those present at very low expression levels, and the amplified energy
transfer present in Pdots allows the development of a large color panel of Pdots that are both
bright with narrow emissions and which can be de-stained efficiently for use in CIC.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10080645
- **Project number:** 1R43GM137725-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** LAMPROGEN, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Jiangbo Yu
- **Activity code:** R43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $149,800
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-08-01 → 2022-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10080645

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10080645, Pdot Enabled Cyclic Imaging Cytometry (1R43GM137725-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10080645. Licensed CC0.

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