Thursday, December 25, 2025 12/25/2025

Improving the Accuracy of Lupus Nephritis Diagnosis using Biomarkers Derived from Ultraviolet and Mid-infrared Spectroscopic Imaging

Award Number: R01DK135870
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DIABETES & DIGESTIVE & KIDNEY DISEASES
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 01/01/2024
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 11/30/2028

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Improving the Accuracy of Lupus Nephritis Diagnosis using Biomarkers Derived from Ultraviolet and Mid-infrared Spectroscopic Imaging - PROJECT SUMMARY Histology is the current standard for diagnosis and predicting long-term disease outcomes in lupus nephritis (LN). However, diagnosis and prognosis are challenging due to significant inter-pathologist variance and multiple pitfalls in histopathology. We propose combining conventional histology with independent information from two complementary optical imaging modalities that provide additional morphological, biochemical and molecular context to LN, thus overcoming current diagnostic challenges. We will utilize milling with ultraviolet surface excitation (MUSE) to provide protein-specific histology and mid-infrared spectroscopic imaging (MIRSI) for label- free biochemical identification of small molecules and metabolites. Acquiring co-registered imaging data with high speed and good resolution from these imaging modalities is challenging, and we propose a new experimental platform for comprehensive biopsy imaging that addresses this challenge. We will identify new structural and molecular features across these modalities that are decisive for LN diagnosis. A deep learning architecture will be used to combine information from across all modalities, optimize feature selection and quantification. We present extensive preliminary data from kidneys of wildtype and LN murine models demonstrating the efficacy of our techniques. We will validate the efficacy of LN diagnostic metrics from murine models using archival human kidney biopsy samples. We also present data from human subjects with Class II LN (non-proliferative), Class IV LN (proliferative) and minimal change disease (control) and demonstrate statistically significant metrics derived from our imaging modalities that enable improved LN diagnosis.


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: 2026 ( Subtotal = $638,616 )
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM	4300 MARTIN LUTHER KING BLVD	HOUSTON	TX	77204	HARRIS	USA	Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research	000	3	12/17/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$638,616
														Subtotal = $638,616

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $573,326 )
2025	2025	UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM	4300 MARTIN LUTHER KING BLVD	HOUSTON	TX	77204	HARRIS	USA	Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research	000	2	11/22/2024	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$573,326
														Subtotal = $573,326

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $629,842 )
2024	2024	UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON SYSTEM	4300 MARTIN LUTHER KING BLVD	HOUSTON	TX	77204	HARRIS	USA	Diabetes, Digestive, and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research	000	1	12/29/2023	NEW	$629,842
														Subtotal = $629,842

Grand Total All Awards = $1,841,784

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Improving the Accuracy of Lupus Nephritis Diagnosis using Biomarkers Derived from Ultraviolet and Mid-infrared Spectroscopic Imaging

Award Number: R01DK135870

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DIABETES & DIGESTIVE & KIDNEY DISEASES

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

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

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 01/01/2024

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 11/30/2028

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