Tuesday, November 4, 2025 11/4/2025

Background-free molecular imaging using modulated photoacoustics and targeted contrast agent

Award Number: R01EB028916
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE Of BIOMEDICAL IMAGING & BIOENGINEERING
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/01/2020
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/31/2025

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Background-free molecular imaging using modulated photoacoustics and targeted contrast agent - ABSTRACT The goal of this research program is to develop an advanced, noninvasive, molecularly specific imaging tech- nology – ultrasound-guided modulated photoacoustic imaging augmented by optically-activatable, targeted con- trast agents, capable of immediate, accurate, background-free assessment of pathologies in vivo. The underlying hypothesis of this project is that ultrasound-guided photoacoustic imaging of optically modulated contrast agents can be performed in real time, yielding immediate diagnostic information. The approach is based on the unique combination of an optically-activatable molecularly-targeted imaging contrast agent and corresponding laser/ul- trasound imaging device. Specifically, development of a highly-sensitive imaging contrast agent consisting of silica nanoparticles doped with optically-activatable photoabsorbers and coated by an antibody-functionalized lipid shell will be undertaken. The photoabsorbers embedded in the silica core exhibit ~50s-lived, transient near-infrared optical absorption upon prior red laser irradiation. The contrast agent will be imaged using a clinical ultrasound (US) imaging system, interfaced with two (pump/probe) pulsed laser sources, operating in either ultrasound or photoacoustic imaging modes. Pump laser pulses will repeatedly activate the contrast agent, thus allowing for probe laser pulses to generate photoacoustic signal that can be processed to generate background- free modulated photoacoustic (mPA) images spatially co-registered with grayscale ultrasound (US) images. Fur- thermore, by probing different dark state lifetimes of optically activated contrast agents, multiple mPA “colors” will be simultaneously imaged within tissue. These US-mPA images will display molecular and functional signa- tures of the disease within the structural content of the tissue. The specific objective of this project is to develop an ultrasound-guided modulated photoacoustic imaging approach and demonstrate the developed approach in the background-free detection of micrometastases in sentinel lymph nodes using a murine model of metastatic breast cancer. Indeed, one of the critical components of the clinical cancer management is the analysis of re- gional lymph nodes where current diagnostic methods including imaging suffer from low sensitivity and specificity. Therefore, this US-mPA system will be specifically designed for imaging micrometastases in sentinel lymph nodes. Improved sensitivity and specificity of US-mPA imaging will be demonstrated through synthesis of mo- lecularly targeted contrast agent and coordinated instrumentation development to maximize impact of these new materials and the imaging approach. The successful outcome of this study will enable design and development of a clinical imaging system and contrast agents for background-free molecular imaging of various pathologies.


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: 2025 ( Subtotal = -$18,857 )
2025	2023	GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORP	926 DALNEY ST NW	ATLANTA	GA	30318	FULTON	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	000	4	8/5/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	-$18,857
														Subtotal = -$18,857

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $572,589 )
2023	2023	GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORPORATION	926 DALNEY ST NW	ATLANTA	GA	30332	FULTON	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	000	4	3/14/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$572,589
														Subtotal = $572,589

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $642,422 )
2022	2022	GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORPORATION	926 DALNEY ST NW	ATLANTA	GA	30332	FULTON	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	000	3	4/11/2022	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$642,422
														Subtotal = $642,422

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $590,969 )
2021	2021	GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORPORATION	926 DALNEY ST NW	ATLANTA	GA	30332	FULTON	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	001	2	5/27/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
2021	2021	GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORPORATION	926 DALNEY ST NW	ATLANTA	GA	30332	FULTON	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	000	2	4/6/2021	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$590,969
														Subtotal = $590,969

Issue Date FY: 2020 ( Subtotal = $605,934 )
2020	2020	GEORGIA TECH RESEARCH CORPORATION	926 DALNEY ST NW	ATLANTA	GA	30318	FULTON	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	000	1	5/27/2020	NEW	$605,934
														Subtotal = $605,934

Grand Total All Awards = $2,393,057

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Background-free molecular imaging using modulated photoacoustics and targeted contrast agent

Award Number: R01EB028916

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE Of BIOMEDICAL IMAGING & BIOENGINEERING

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

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

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 07/01/2020

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 03/31/2025

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