# Next-generation design of acoustic reporter genes with optimal assembly

> **NIH NIH R35** · RICE UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $375,371

## Abstract

Project Summary / Abstract
The ability to visualize specific gene expression, exemplified by methods like green fluorescent protein (GFP)
reporters, has been pivotal in scientific research over the past few decades. However, most of these techniques
rely on optics, and are therefore limited by the ~1 mm penetration depth of light into biological tissues. It is in this
context that a class of air-filled protein nanostructures named gas vesicles (GVs) were developed as the first
acoustic reporter genes, which enabled the use of ultrasound to image gene expression in cells located in
centimeter-deep tissues. Since then, biomolecular engineering of GVs has rapidly expanded the use of these
unique air-filled protein nanostructures into directions such as spatially cellular control, drug delivery, pressure
sensing, gas delivery, neuromodulation, and multimodal imaging. Despite the rapid progress in the biomedical
applications of GVs, the understanding of the genetics and biophysics underlying GV formation lags behind, and
it has been recognized that the assembly of GVs in non-native host organisms is far from optimal compared to
that in the native host cells. This gap poses a significant, universal obstacle in almost all GV-based technologies,
strongly hindering their adaptability and application. Our research program aims to address this challenge by
pursuing two parallel directions. In the first, we delve into the fundamental science to unravel the molecular
mechanism of GV assembly. In the second, we focus on engineering control, using synthetic biology strategies
to design genetic constructs that achieve optimal GV assembly. If successful, the discoveries from these projects
will not only enhance our fundamental understanding of this intriguing class of protein organelles, but also
revolutionize the biomolecular engineering of GVs, which will generate a major impact for all the biomedical
applications of this class of nanostructures in molecular imaging, cellular control, theranostic nano-agents, and
biosensing.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10941264
- **Project number:** 1R35GM155015-01
- **Recipient organization:** RICE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** George J Lu
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $375,371
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-10 → 2029-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10941264

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10941264, Next-generation design of acoustic reporter genes with optimal assembly (1R35GM155015-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10941264. Licensed CC0.

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