# Fluorescence tools that illuminate biology and inspire translation

> **NIH NIH R35** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY · 2020 · $453,649

## Abstract

Project Summary:
Understanding the mechanisms of protein and organelle function and dysfunction in disease
requires a detailed and dynamic analysis of molecular structures and interactions in live cells.
The long-term goal of my laboratory is to develop tools that reveal these functional elements
and apply them to discover significant biology and/or design molecules with useful properties. I
am drawn to difficult, complex, multi-disciplinary problems where chemistry can catalyze
exciting and non-incremental progress. We strive not simply to develop tools, but also to apply
them in innovative ways to acquire new and influential knowledge. This rubric leads us naturally
into diverse and emerging scientific areas. Fluorescence spectroscopy features prominently in
the three research programs described herein. In two, a fluorescent tool we developed (section
A) or innovated (section C) has already identified influential new biology; here future work
capitalizes on this knowledge with an eye to translation. In the third, tool development is on-
going (section B) but progress-to-date provides a clear roadmap for very exciting future
applications.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9851536
- **Project number:** 1R35GM134963-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA BERKELEY
- **Principal Investigator:** Alanna Schepartz
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $453,649
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-02-01 → 2025-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9851536

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9851536, Fluorescence tools that illuminate biology and inspire translation (1R35GM134963-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9851536. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*
