# Elucidating spatial and temporal dynamics of macrophage polarization using bioluminescence microscopy

> **NIH NIH R35** · UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON · 2024 · $380,740

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract:
Macrophage polarization is involved in the progression of normal physiological and pathological
processes. The near universal importance of macrophage has led to widescale assessment of
the genomic and proteomic to classify their function. However, it is still a challenge to measure
macrophage polarization in real time such as in the context of assessing the status of a biomaterial
implant or the efficacy of a nanoparticle drug delivery system in a solid tumor. Our preliminary
data show that bioluminescence microscopy is able to deliver the protein expression data valuable
for macrophage polarization combined the cell tracking capability of traditional imaging system.
This research program will address the current gap in real-time assessment of macrophage
polarization by 1) further developing the technology to measure macrophage polarization
dynamics using bioluminescence microscopy and 2) assessing the intrinsic and extracellular
environmental stimuli that are most important for sensing macrophage polarization in a diseased
environment context. To accomplish these goals, we will employ ex-vivo culture systems and live
bioluminescence imaging. This work will identify novel strategies for measuring macrophage
polarization and validate the importance of analyzing polarization in a disease context. Ultimately,
this research will lead to new strategies for synthetic biology development, enhancement of
diagnostic testing and development of new therapeutic targets. In addition, the knowledge and
tools developed can be applied to other cells where polarization is paramount such as stem cell
differentiation, chemoattraction, and cell metabolism.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11399461
- **Project number:** 7R35GM142957-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON
- **Principal Investigator:** Elizabeth C Wayne
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $380,740
- **Award type:** 7
- **Project period:** 2021-09-01 → 2026-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11399461

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11399461, Elucidating spatial and temporal dynamics of macrophage polarization using bioluminescence microscopy (7R35GM142957-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11399461. Licensed CC0.

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