# High Parameter Fluorescence Imaging for Analysis of Tissue Microenvironments

> **NIH NIH S10** · UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER · 2024 · $400,000

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY AND ABSTRACT
The Human Immune Monitoring Shared Resource (HIMSR) at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical
Campus (CUAMC) is applying for funds to add a state-of-the-art high-parameter fluorescence imaging platform,
the Lunaphore COMET, to this well-established core facility. HIMSR is substantially supported by the University
of Colorado Cancer Center (UCCC, P30 CA046934) and the Colorado Head and Neck Cancer SPORE
(P50CA261605). Current multiplex immunohistochemistry (mIHC) tissue imaging instruments include the Akoya
Vectra 3.0, the Akoya Vectra Polaris, and the Ionpath Multiplex Ion Beam Imaging (MIBI) system (low-
throughput, 40-marker mass spectrometry imaging in regions of interest). HIMSR is the only core lab in the state
of Colorado that offers multiplex tissue imaging and specializes in the development of customized high-
parameter panels. HIMSR supports a consistently growing number of investigators, approximately 100 per year,
65% of which utilize mIHC instruments. The rationale for adding additional high-parameter imaging capability is
that many investigators need affordable hyperplexing options, however the capacity of HIMSR's existing high-
parameter MIBI platform is maximized with no available AUT for innovation or new assay development. The
Lunaphore COMET instrument utilizes commercially available label-free primary antibodies in a serial staining,
imaging, and elution approach that is flexible to each investigator's needs. It maximizes throughput with walk-
away automation and preserves tissues and epitopes with unparalleled integrity and stability using innovative
microfluidics, making it possible for investigators to perform whole genome RNA-based analyses of the same
tissues in downstream transcriptomics assays. The Lunaphore COMET offers whole-tissue imaging with a
virtually unlimited hyperplex capability and generates OME-TIFF image files that can be analyzed with either
open-source or commercially available image analysis packages. Interest in high parameter tissue imaging and
the need for additional instrumentation is driven by a strong group of NIH-funded principal investigators with 23
active NIH-funded grants in the areas of oncology, dermatology, hepatology, nephrology, and hematology. The
estimated need for the 12 Major Users is approximately 81% accessible user time. The HIMSR team is highly
qualified to develop new assays and operate the Lunaphore COMET instrument, composed of a master's level
histologist, a Ph.D. level image analyst, a certified histotech, and three research assistants. The PI (Dr. Kimberly
Jordan) has over 7 years of experience in developing, optimizing, and analyzing multiplex IHC tissue imaging
data, has collaborated on many NIH-funded R01 projects utilizing these technologies and expertise, and
authored 50 peer-reviewed publications in immunology. HIMSR's expertise in developing custom mIHC assays
is nationally recognized with a strong track record of providing robust and ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10853648
- **Project number:** 1S10OD036353-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER
- **Principal Investigator:** Kimberly R Jordan
- **Activity code:** S10 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $400,000
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-07-01 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10853648

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10853648, High Parameter Fluorescence Imaging for Analysis of Tissue Microenvironments (1S10OD036353-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10853648. Licensed CC0.

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