# (7) Novel imaging devices for measurement and control of tumor microenvironments

> **NIH NIH R01** · ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE · 2020 · $579,582

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
Understanding the identity, location and function of cells in the tumor microenvironment is essential to
understanding how they dominate tumor phenotype and contribute to dissemination and metastasis. An
example of this is the tri-partite structure TMEM (for Tumor MicroEnvironment of Metastasis) consisting of
the juxtaposition of a macrophage, an endothelial cell and a tumor cell which function together to act as the
doorway for metastatic dissemination. We have created novel imaging technologies consisting of
1)implantable windows with embedded microfluidics that allow serial high-resolution, single-cell microscopy
of the primary and metastatic sites over days to weeks, and 2)multi-modal image alignment technologies to
register fixed, stained, tissue sections to each other or to the acquired intravital imaging movies. Light
activated valves embedded in the microfluidic system will be used to deliver microenvironment-altering
chemical (e.g. hypoxia mimetics, chemotherapy) and biological (e.g. function blocking antibodies) agents
and label unmarked tissues with fluorescent antibodies, all while imaging the tissue response in real time.
Intravital imaging will be used to image the tissue and provide single-cell resolution images that cover the
entire tissue over time spans ranging from seconds, to days, and even weeks. Finally, motile cells will be
captured, either by chemo-attraction to microfluidic chambers, or laser capture microdissection after
fixation, for further expression profiling. Application of these technologies to the study of primary and
secondary lesions an unprecedented ability to probe the identity, location, quantity and function of the cells
composing the heterogeneous microenvironment. Further, testing, in vivo, the targeting agents affecting
the distribution, function and dynamics of the cells forming TMEM, as well as and the cells with which they
interact, will enable the rapid determination of those agents with best therapeutic potential. This work will
determine how 1) hypoxia, ECM density, immune cell density and chemotherapy initiate and define tumor
heterogeneity in the primary and secondary sites; 2) chemotherapy and known blockers of TMEM
assembly and function affect the dynamics of intravasation and dissemination in the primary and secondary
sites; and 3) the relationship between cellular behavior and phenotype with cellular identity and location.
The techniques utilized in this project are generally applicable and will allow molecular identification,
localization and quantification of tumor heterogeneity in many cancers and disease models.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9900579
- **Project number:** 5R01CA216248-05
- **Recipient organization:** ALBERT EINSTEIN COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
- **Principal Investigator:** JOHN S CONDEELIS
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $579,582
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-04-01 → 2022-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9900579

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9900579, (7) Novel imaging devices for measurement and control of tumor microenvironments (5R01CA216248-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9900579. Licensed CC0.

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