# Photonics-based Fluorescence Imaging for Research, Diagnostics, and Pathology

> **NIH NIH R35** · UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE · 2024 · $386,250

## Abstract

Abstract - Photonics-based Fluorescence Imaging for Research, Diagnostics and Pathology
 During the past several decades fluorescence detection has become a central technology throughout the
biosciences. The basic applications include studies of biomolecule function, properties of cell membranes and
localization of target molecules in cells. The more clinical applications include immunoassays, flow cytometry,
point-of-care diagnostics, genetic testing, and cell imaging by fluorescence microscopy. Fluorescence is
expanding to include in-vivo measurements on brain tissues using multi-photon excitation.
 While fluorescence technology has advanced, it has not kept pace with the advances in electronics and
array detectors (cameras). The sizes of optical components such as lenses and filters are much larger than
electronic components as can be seen from a cell phone with millions of transistors, but only one or two lenses
in a cell phone. This mismatch in size cannot be circumvented by making smaller lenses, filters or fiber optics.
These optical components require dimensions of many wavelengths to manipulate freely propagating light.
 We propose to overcome this limitation by using fluorophores positioned within sub-wavelength near-field
distances from the plasmonic, photonic or plasmonic multi-layer structures (MLS). We are NOT proposing to use
the fluorophores as electronic components, but rather to directly couple their emission into CMOS imaging
detectors with MLSs without free-space propagation of light. The MLS controls the propagation of optical energy,
can separate wavelengths and can direct the energy (coupled photons) towards nearby detectors. This concept
will provide the basis for new devices for research and medicine.
 To demonstrate the usefulness of these devices we have established collaborations with senior faculty in
the School of Medicine. These collaborations include detection of weak binding in drug discovery or high
throughput screening (HTS) because much of the HTS is used with drug fragments which bind weakly to target
molicules. Most of the MLS retain spatial information in the x-y plane which allows either ensemble or virus particle
counting assays for HIV and the Covid-19 virus SARS-CoV-2. The wide field of view will allow whole slide imaging
of pathology specimens.
 Our goal is to develop this new area of near-field effects in fluorescence, with easy to fabricate strruvtures,
to enable a new generation of instruments and devices for fluorescence detection in research, sensing and
imaging.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10769789
- **Project number:** 5R35GM144147-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE
- **Principal Investigator:** Joseph R. LAKOWICZ
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $386,250
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2022-02-01 → 2027-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10769789

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10769789, Photonics-based Fluorescence Imaging for Research, Diagnostics, and Pathology (5R35GM144147-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10769789. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*