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Optical nanosensor for 3D force sensing in intact tissues of live animals

Award Number: R21GM140347
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/01/2021
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2024

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Optical nanosensor for 3D force sensing in intact tissues of live animals - PROJECT SUMMARY Physical forces are known to impact cell functions in a fundamental way. While the study dates back some 100 years, the scientific interests have significantly increased in the past decades. However, despite the extensive studies, obtaining precise force information in live animals remains an elusive task. Currently, a vast majority of, if not all, force sensing studies have only been carried out in cultured cells. Yet, it is well-documented that one of the most prominent differences between cell culture and intact tissues is the change of mechanical forces and cell- cell adhesion. Therefore, precise measurements of forces inside biological tissues of live animals are desperately needed to advance the field. The goal of this project is to develop a novel force sensing technique that allows non-invasive sensing of force distribution across 3D volume of biological tissue in a live animal. It promises highly sensitive force measurements with simple fluorescence measurements that can be conducted in a standard confocal microscope. The nanosensor is composed of metal nanodisk, upconversion nanoparticle and flexible polymer. Upconversion nanoparticle is excited by an infrared light and emits visible fluorescence. The infrared excitation provides many benefits including no background fluorescence and high sensitivity. The nanosensor produces fluorescence signal that is highly sensitive to local deformations, enabling detection of force as small as 1 nN and local deformation down to ~1 nm. Finally, we have established a state-of-art two-photon microscope system to perform fluorescence imaging in live mice. We have developed a number of fluorescence tagged mouse models that resolve epidermal and hair follicle lineages and monitor the adhesion, migration and proliferation of epithelial cells. This system will allow us to test and fine-tune our designs in a physiologically relevant condition.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = -$14 )
2024	2022	THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO	3100 MARINE ST	BOULDER	CO	80309	BOULDER	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	2	8/8/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$14
														Subtotal = -$14

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $186,357 )
2022	2022	REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, THE	3100 MARINE ST STE 481 572 UCB	BOULDER	CO	80309	BOULDER	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	2	1/20/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$167,720
2022	2022	REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, THE	3100 MARINE ST STE 481 572 UCB	BOULDER	CO	80309	BOULDER	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	001	2	6/28/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$18,637
														Subtotal = $186,357

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $238,455 )
2021	2021	REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO, THE	3100 MARINE ST STE 481 572 UCB	BOULDER	CO	80309	BOULDER	USA	Biomedical Research and Research Training	000	1	1/22/2021	NEW	$238,455
														Subtotal = $238,455

Grand Total All Awards = $424,798

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Optical nanosensor for 3D force sensing in intact tissues of live animals

Award Number: R21GM140347

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 02/01/2021

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 01/31/2024

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