# Multi-color laser particles for high-throughput pooled analysis

> **NIH NIH R01** · MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL · 2024 · $504,400

## Abstract

Abstract
High-throughput analysis of a large number of samples can greatly benefit from sampling
barcoding as it can significantly reduce reagent costs and batch error as well as increasing the
acquisition speed. Optical barcoding with its readout compatible with fluorescence analysis offers
compelling advantages over DNA barcoding because it allows rapid multiparameter analysis of
each sample and does not rely on a binary ‘hit’ or ‘miss’ criterion. However, current fluorescence-
based barcoding does not meet the current and future needs of massive-scale multiplexing. The
goal of this project is to develop novel, highly scalable, optical multiplexing technology based on
multi-color laser particles. A combination of several discoidal microparticles, each emitting a
narrowband laser spectrum, can be tagged on the surface of cells or microbeads and serve as
the unique identifiers of the objects. The first specific aim is to develop 50 color sets of
semiconductor laser particles across a spectral range of 1150 to 1600 nm via microfluidic particle
sorting. The second specific aim develops applications of this new tool in three major high-
throughput analysis platforms: first, multiparameter flow cytometry of 384-pooled cell samples;
second, 3840-plex bead immunoassays; and third, all-optical multiparameter screening of
combinatorial one-bead-one-compound libraries. The breakthroughs in these high-throughput
technologies are expected to facilitate numerous biological discovery applications including drug
development.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10850708
- **Project number:** 5R01EB034687-02
- **Recipient organization:** MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL
- **Principal Investigator:** Seok-Hyun Andy Yun
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $504,400
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2023-06-01 → 2027-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10850708

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10850708, Multi-color laser particles for high-throughput pooled analysis (5R01EB034687-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10850708. Licensed CC0.

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