# Characterizing glioma heterogeneity with novel multiplexed nanoscale imaging technologies

> **NIH NIH DP5** · BROAD INSTITUTE, INC. · 2021 · $445,000

## Abstract

Abstract:
 Gliomas, with glioblastomas (GBM) in particular, are one of the most lethal human
malignancies due to lack of success with current conventional treatments due to their invasive
nature and heterogeneity. We will leverage expansion microscopy, a novel super-resolution
microscopy method, as a platform to develop novel tools for highly multiplexed in situ analysis to
generate comprehensive maps of GBM spatial heterogeneity and structure. We will use these
tools to help understand the molecular and morphological phenotypes of GBM invasion and
pathology, which we hope will guide future therapeutic interventions.
 The proposed research will consist of three aims which seeks to develop novel in situ
analysis tools driven by biological questions in GBM organization: (1) Comprehensively map cell
types and states within GBM tumor tissue with high spatial resolution. To enable this, we will
develop an innovative method for highly multiplexed readout of RNA in expanded tissues with
tailored in situ gene expression panels based on single-cell RNA sequencing signatures. (2)
Study the nanoscale interactions between tumor cells and their surrounding microenvironment
that are implicated GBM invasion. To accomplish this, we will develop an approach for multiplexed
protein imaging with nanoscale resolution using DNA barcoded antibody libraries. (3) Develop a
scalable analysis platform with automation and analysis software to integrate multiplexed RNA
and protein imaging in the same sample. We will apply this platform to patient derived tumor
samples to understand the molecular and morphological phenotypes of invading GBM tumor cells,
as well as build a map of the spatial heterogeneity of GBM. These novel technologies to spatially
map molecular information in complex tissues will not only be invaluable for understanding glioma
and cancer, they will be broadly applicable to many other spatially complex biological processes.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10247568
- **Project number:** 5DP5OD024583-05
- **Recipient organization:** BROAD INSTITUTE, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Fei Chen
- **Activity code:** DP5 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $445,000
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-09-08 → 2022-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10247568

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10247568, Characterizing glioma heterogeneity with novel multiplexed nanoscale imaging technologies (5DP5OD024583-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10247568. Licensed CC0.

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