Monday, February 16, 2026 2/16/2026

Multimodality X-ray transmission and diffraction scanner for molecular analysis of cancer specimens

Award Number: R33CA256102
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: SCIENTIFIC/HEALTH RESEARCH (INCLUDES SURVEYS)
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 05/01/2021
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2025

Group Awards By:

View Award Description

Multimodality X-ray transmission and diffraction scanner for molecular analysis of cancer specimens - ABSTRACT Cancer research using biospecimens requires the analysis of samples with a large range of sizes (sub-mm to cm) and molecular composition over a wide range of length scales. In many cases, 3-dimensional spatial information about the specimen is critical to understanding and addressing the progression of the disease. X-ray imaging has been widely recognized to play a key role in tissue analysis and cancer assessment. While transmission X-ray imaging (radiography or CT) has been used successfully in some applications wherein sample morphology is highly correlated with the disease state, it lacks molecular specificity, which limits its general utility in specimen analysis. Many groups have demonstrated the utility of X-ray diffraction (XRD) in analyzing molecular structure in biospecimens; however, none have successfully implemented a viable method of fast and accurate 3D XRD measurement in a laboratory environment. The key challenges associated with realizing such a system include the fact that high accuracy XRD measurements have typically required access to a synchrotron or another specialized source, which is difficult for the average researcher to access. In contrast, conventional laboratory diffraction methods are slow, require destruction or alteration of the specimens, and exhibit poor or no volumetric spatial information. To overcome these challenges, we propose to develop a new radiographic imaging device that can scan the entire volume of a biospecimen and generate co-registered, multi-modal X-ray transmission and XRD images. Such technology would allow researchers to study molecular properties of tissue specimens with high spatial resolution and high specificity using a tool that is compact, robust, and easily accessible in an average research laboratory. The samples would be analyzed without contrast agents and with little to no sample preparation required. Through previous work, we have built, tested, and demonstrated the underlying technology required for combined transmission and diffraction imaging of biospecimens. We will now build a clinically accessible, high-resolution prototype of the scanner, test and validate its performance, and demonstrate its utility in imaging bone and breast cancer biospecimens. This project will provide a first-of-its-kind X-ray transmission/diffraction scanner for non-destructive analysis of cancer biospecimens, which could enable pathways for new clinical studies exploring the role of XRD in tissue abnormalities, eventually leading to a better understanding of the genesis and evolution of cancer.


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 = $0 )
2025	2023	QUADRIDOX INC.	437 DIMMOCKS MILL RD STE 39	HILLSBOROUGH	NC	27278	ORANGE	USA	Cancer Detection and Diagnosis Research	000	3	8/5/2025	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2023 ( Subtotal = $262,875 )
2023	2023	QUADRIDOX INC	4306 SUGAR PINE LN	DURHAM	NC	27705	DURHAM	USA	Cancer Detection and Diagnosis Research	000	3	4/20/2023	NON-COMPETING CONTINUATION	$262,875
														Subtotal = $262,875

Issue Date FY: 2022 ( Subtotal = $271,954 )
2022	2022	QUADRIDOX, INC.	4306 SUGAR PINE LN	DURHAM	NC	27705	DURHAM	USA	Cancer Detection and Diagnosis Research	001	2	8/29/2022	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	$271,954
2022	2022	QUADRIDOX INC	4306 SUGAR PINE LN	DURHAM	NC	27705	DURHAM	USA	Cancer Detection and Diagnosis Research	003	2	9/20/2022	CHANGE OF GRANTEE / TRAINING INSTITUTION / AWARDING INSTITUTION	$184,496
2022	2021	DUKE UNIVERSITY	2200 W MAIN ST STE 710	DURHAM	NC	27708	DURHAM	USA	Cancer Detection and Diagnosis Research	000	1	8/12/2022	NEW	$0
2022	2021	DUKE UNIVERSITY	2200 W MAIN ST	DURHAM	NC	27705	DURHAM	USA	Cancer Detection and Diagnosis Research	002	1	9/20/2022	NEW	-$184,496
														Subtotal = $271,954

Issue Date FY: 2021 ( Subtotal = $360,935 )
2021	2021	DUKE UNIVERSITY	2200 W MAIN ST STE 710	DURHAM	NC	27708	DURHAM	USA	Cancer Detection and Diagnosis Research	000	1	4/15/2021	NEW	$360,935
														Subtotal = $360,935

Grand Total All Awards = $895,764

Top

All Categories

About

Search

Reports

Data Submission

Award Information

Multimodality X-ray transmission and diffraction scanner for molecular analysis of cancer specimens

Award Number: R33CA256102

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

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

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 05/01/2021

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 04/30/2025

Federal Websites

Department of Health & Human Services

HHS Operating Divisions

HHS Staff Divisions

Download A Document Viewer