# Label-Free Cell-Resolved Metabolomics for Tumor Microscopy

> **NIH NIH R21** · GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY · 2020 · $216,120

## Abstract

Summary
It is widely held that energy creation and use strategies employed by tumors may provide important diagnostic
and therapeutic opportunities. However, tools to directly and microscopically visualize these strategies do not yet
exist because most of the metabolites cannot be labeled for microscopy. This project uses recently developed
a coherent Raman imaging method that can rapidly obtain molecular vibration signatures of these unlabeled
metabolites, potentially making them visible. If the project is successful, it will yeild a microscope that will allow
cancer researchers and clinicians to, for the first time, visualize metabolic activity in intact tumors, on a cell-by-cell
basis, and should facilitate discovery of new therapies and diagnostics.
 Developing such an instrument presents significant challenges. The project will approach these in our first
Aim by developing a detailed theoretical model of our imaging approach, and testing it against a simplified and
well-controlled series of experimental tissue mimics. This dual model approach will allow us to discover the
most effective path to realizing the necessary instrument sensitivity and reliability. In the second Aim we test the
microscope in actual tissues and cell culture that is independently analyzed for content of metabolites measure
by BCARS.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9937217
- **Project number:** 1R21CA240214-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** GEORGIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
- **Principal Investigator:** Marcus T Cicerone
- **Activity code:** R21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $216,120
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-03-13 → 2023-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9937217

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9937217, Label-Free Cell-Resolved Metabolomics for Tumor Microscopy (1R21CA240214-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9937217. Licensed CC0.

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