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Development of multimodal multiscale imaging platform for high-content molecular profiling of mucosal healing to predict the risk of relapse in ulcerative colitis

Award Number: R01EB037445
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: 09/11/2026
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2030

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Development of multimodal multiscale imaging platform for high-content molecular profiling of mucosal healing to predict the risk of relapse in ulcerative colitis - PROJECT SUMMARY Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease characterized by unpredictable periods of remission and flare-ups, presenting significant management challenges. Current methods for assessing mucosal healing, including clinical, endoscopic, and histopathological scoring systems, are limited by inter- observer variability and inconsistent patient-reported symptoms. Non-invasive biomarkers from blood and stool lack reliability, and confocal endoscopy cannot reliably predict relapse risks. Spatial omics technologies offer the potential to revolutionize mucosal tissue biopsies by enabling comprehensive molecular profiling and providing insights into the immune microenvironment. However, due to the complexity and inherent heterogeneity of UC, hyper-plexed imaging involving hundreds of proteins and thousands of mRNA targets is often needed to capture the functional states of immune cells and tissues, which is costly and labor-intensive. We hypothesize that combining common structural features of super-resolved cellular architectures with multiplexed molecular phenotyping of a small set of key markers can provide precise assessment of mucosal healing in UC. We propose developing a whole-slide multiscale multimodal imaging platform capable of mapping nuclear ultrastructure and tissue microenvironment. This imaging platform integrates super-resolution microscopy with quantitative phase and multiplexed fluorescence imaging, enabling comprehensive visualization of endoscopic biopsies. We will then establish baseline structural and molecular profiles in UC patients and healthy controls to assess spatial heterogeneity and develop a computational image analysis pipeline. We will further perform structural and molecular profiling of mucosal healing in UC patients in remission to predict relapse risks, identifying molecular and structural characteristics that differentiate patients who maintain remission from those who experience flare-ups. The success of this project holds great potential to advance personalized care in UC management by providing a comprehensive and clinically actionable approach to assessing mucosal healing.


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 = $629,808 )
2026	2026	UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS	506 S WRIGHT ST	URBANA	IL	61801	CHAMPAIGN	USA	Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health	000	1	9/11/2026	NEW	$629,808
														Subtotal = $629,808

Grand Total All Awards = $629,808

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Development of multimodal multiscale imaging platform for high-content molecular profiling of mucosal healing to predict the risk of relapse in ulcerative colitis

Award Number: R01EB037445

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: 09/11/2026

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 06/30/2030

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