# Non-destructive optical spectroscopic assay for high-throughput metabolic characterization of in vitro cell models  and patient-derived organoids

> **NIH NIH R21** · UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY · 2022 · $225,790

## Abstract

Abstract
To maximize cancer patients’ survival rate post-therapy, in vitro immortal cancer cell models and newly
developed patient-derived organoids are widely used to study the role of tumor metabolism reprogramming in
tumor growth and survival under therapeutics stresses. Although conducting longitudinal metabolic
measurements on the same tumor sample during a course of therapy is critical for therapeutic studies, there
are surprisingly few techniques that can provide a systems-level view of tumor metabolism on in vitro cancer
models or organoids non-destructively. Several metabolic tools, such as Seahorse Assay and Metabolomics,
provide standardized metabolic measurements but often require destructive sample preparation. Relying on
the non-invasive nature of optical technique, this proposal seeks to fill the critical technical gap by developing
an optical spectroscopic assay that will enable non-destructive high-throughput metabolism measurement on in
vitro cancer models and organoids for cancer research. Specifically, we will develop a novel multi-channel
fluorescence spectroscopic assay and a machine learning de-convolution algorithm to quantify the key
metabolic parameters of in vitro cancer models (Aim 1). As there is a significant unmet clinical need for breast
cancer (BC) radiotherapy (RT) sensitivity evaluation prior to treatment, we will demonstrate our non-destructive
assay for early prediction of BC radiation responses within the decision-making window via longitudinal
metabolic characterization of patient-derived organoids under radiation stresses (Aim 2). Our technology fills
an important gap that exists between Seahorse Assay (in vitro cells) and Metabolomics (in vitro cells and ex
vivo tissue) by providing a novel approach for non-destructive metabolism measurement on in vitro cancer
models and patient-derived organoids. Our innovative RT sensitivity prediction model will directly impact BC
patients by providing a novel paradigm for patients’ RT sensitivity prediction during the decision-making
window. Once we demonstrate the proof-of-concept of our optical technique and the RT sensitivity prediction
model, we will move our study to a large-scale trail in clinics with a goal of providing individualized RT for BC
patients in our future R01 plan.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10348268
- **Project number:** 1R21EB032515-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY
- **Principal Investigator:** Caigang Zhu
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $225,790
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-08-01 → 2025-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10348268

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10348268, Non-destructive optical spectroscopic assay for high-throughput metabolic characterization of in vitro cell models  and patient-derived organoids (1R21EB032515-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10348268. Licensed CC0.

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