Bold Ideas Already Funded
Quantitative Imaging Biomarker to Predict Lung Metastasis
We propose a novel, clinically translatable imaging method to predict patients at high risk for lung metastases, which would fill a massive void in cancer research and clinical care. We propose to accomplish this transformative objective by imaging pathophysiologic changes that occur in the lungs before development of metastases detected by conventional anatomic imaging. If successful, this imaging method could become a prognostic biomarker that helps oncologists tailor therapy for individual patients based on risk for metastasis.
Identifying Novel Therapies for Sickle Cell Disease
Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a devastating blood disorder characterized by repeated pain crises, chronic organ dysfunction, and reduced life expectancy. SCD affects primarily individuals of African descent and has unfortunately been historically under-funded compared to other equally prevalent disorders. We aim to identify novel therapies for SCD using a high-throughput screen that aims to test thousands of small molecules (a large proportion of which are uniquely available at the University of Michigan) for their ability to ameliorate the disease. This project is bold, highly promising, can only be done at an institution like the University of Michigan, and has the potential to result in meaningful improvements in the lives of hundreds of thousands of individuals affected with this disease.
Computational Modeling of Cell-Paired Morphological and Gene Expression Data
We want to develop and combine two new technologies: (1) experimental approaches for measuring both morphology and gene expression in the same single cells and (2) computational models that link the two measurement types. We hope to develop general tools that will yield insights into the relationship between gene expression and morphology across many cell types, cellular perturbations, and diseases.