# Developing DNA-Based Molecular Robots

> **NIH NIH R16** · NORTH CAROLINA AGRI & TECH ST UNIV · 2024 · $92,927

## Abstract

This proposal seeks funding to acquire state-of-the-art THUNDER Imager Model Organism
equipment that will be used to expand the scope of the funded NIH project in PI's laboratory. PI's
team plans to extend the current in-vitro studies to in-vivo, which is a significant step in achieving
PI's long-term goal of generating autonomous robots that move along the body, detect diseases,
report them, and provide therapeutics as needed. As the team’s research expands, the project's
complementary aims emerge: understanding DNA nanorobot’s endosomal escape, receptor
recognition, in-vivo circulation, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. Our team aims to include
additional studies to characterize DNA robots in more complex in-vivo environments. Therefore, the
need for a dedicated model animal imaging instrument for the project has become imminent, and
the THUNDER Imager Model Organism will enable our team to conduct these studies more
efficiently.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11037113
- **Project number:** 3R16GM145671-03S1
- **Recipient organization:** NORTH CAROLINA AGRI & TECH ST UNIV
- **Principal Investigator:** Reza Zadegan
- **Activity code:** R16 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $92,927
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2022-06-01 → 2026-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11037113

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11037113, Developing DNA-Based Molecular Robots (3R16GM145671-03S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11037113. Licensed CC0.

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