# Center for Label-free Imaging and Multiscale Biophotonics (CLIMB)

> **NIH NIH P41** · UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN · 2023 · $1,401,107

## Abstract

SUMMARY
The Center for Label-free Imaging and Multiscale Biophotonics (CLIMB) develops cutting-edge optical and
computational imaging technologies for addressing grand challenges in biomedicine, including cancer and
neurodegenerative diseases. Building upon the recent advances in interferometric, nonlinear, chemical, and
computational imaging at UIUC, CLIMB will establish a unique technology and training hub for cutting-edge
biophotonics. Specifically, the three Technology Research and Development (TRD) projects will synergize
expertise in multimodal and nonlinear imaging from the Boppart group, computational imaging from the
Anastasio group, and quantitative phase imaging, from the Popescu group, to translate new technology from
lab-to-clinic and point-of-care settings. The unifying concept for the technologies developed at CLIMB is the
ability to extract quantitative biomarkers from specimens using intrinsic contrast imaging, i.e., label-free. These
technologies will be pushed for the first time to handheld configurations to allow in-vivo and point-of-care (POC)
operation.
We developed a rigorous and inclusive technology training and dissemination plan, as well as a comprehensive
educational program to prepare the next generation of biophotonics researchers for excelling in label-free
imaging.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10705138
- **Project number:** 5P41EB031772-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN
- **Principal Investigator:** Stephen A Boppart
- **Activity code:** P41 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $1,401,107
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-09-30 → 2027-06-20

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10705138

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10705138, Center for Label-free Imaging and Multiscale Biophotonics (CLIMB) (5P41EB031772-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10705138. Licensed CC0.

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