Advancements in medical technology often hinge on the ability to accurately locate and target specific cells within the body—a task made complex by their mobility and tendency to “hide.” Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) is making strides in this area with new funding aimed at enhancing technologies designed to identify both therapeutic and diseased cells, including cancer cells.
“Right now, we don’t know where all the cells go when tracking cancer cells or cell-based therapies, so we are not sure what type of processes to target or how therapies might be improved.”
Susann Brady-Kalnay, Sally S. Morley Designated Professor of Brain Tumor Research and Professor of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Case Western Reserve School of Medicine
In a notable development, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded a $2.5 million Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant to support this initiative. This funding will be jointly managed by Brady-Kalnay and BioInVision Inc., a Cleveland-based spinout from CWRU.
Founded by CWRU alumni Debashish Roy and David Wilson, the company focuses on developing advanced imaging technologies. Madhu Gargesha, who previously worked as a postdoctoral researcher in CWRU’s biomedical engineering department, serves as the principal investigator for this grant.
The technology, primarily aiming to enhance cancer therapeutics and cell-based therapies like immunotherapy, will also be applicable in evaluating imaging agents and gene expression, according to Brady-Kalnay. The grant is structured to foster collaborations between small businesses and universities for ongoing research and commercialization, thereby generating revenue for both parties and contributing to regional economic growth.
AI-Powered Imaging Innovations
The new funding will specifically facilitate research into the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to precisely identify healthy and diseased tissues in three-dimensional biological models. The centerpiece of this innovation is the CryoViz cryo-imaging device, a highly automated system that merges microscopy, robotics, and advanced software to produce high-resolution, three-dimensional imaging of biological samples down to single-cell sensitivity.
“If you wanted to do this with traditional methods, it might take millions of tissue sections,” Brady-Kalnay explained. “Using a new AI algorithm BioInVision is developing, imaging an entire mouse—including identifying all its organs—could take a matter of hours.”
This technology includes an AI-based “virtual staining” method that enables researchers to evaluate tissue at a single-cell level, making it possible to track individual cell movements, such as those of migrating and metastatic cancer cells or T-cells. Brady-Kalnay elaborated on this, stating, “The computer can decide when it has detected some ‘glowing’ fluorescent cells, like metastatic tumor cells in the lung. It will automatically save tissue sections in that region so I can go back and study the tissue in detail at the cellular and molecular level.”
David Wald, co-investigator on the grant and Professor of Pathology at CWRU, aims to study the localization of T-cells across various organs during innovative treatments such as immunotherapy. This research will enhance the precision of targeting diseased cells.
Significance of Academic-Industrial Partnerships
This grant exemplifies the critical role of academic-industrial partnerships in promoting technology development and commercialization in Ohio. It highlights the success of spinout companies and underscores CWRU’s commitment to training professionals in STEM fields for the biotech industry. Notably, many companies founded by CWRU alumni are led by former postdoctoral researchers and graduate students from the university.
For over a decade, BioInVision has marketed its CryoViz technology, both as an instrument and a service, to academic institutions, hospitals, and biopharmaceutical companies worldwide. This not only raises Ohio’s profile on the global stage but also contributes significantly to advancing research in cell-based therapies and cancer treatment.
In conclusion, the recent funding from the NIH is poised to enhance cell tracking technologies significantly, potentially revolutionizing how researchers approach cancer treatment and immunotherapeutics. With AI and machine learning at the forefront, this initiative is set to advance personalized medicine and improve patient outcomes.
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