Procure and install five advanced imaging and high-precision measuring systems for the miami project to cure paralysis research and innovation hub

The National Institute of Standards and Technology awarded the University of Miami $3.1 million under the Congressionally-Identified Projects program (CFDA 11.617) on September 1, 2026, to procure and install five advanced imaging and high-precision measuring systems for the Miami Project to Cure Paralysis Research and Innovation Hub.

The recipient will acquire a three-photon microscope, a super-resolution microscope, a NULISA biomarker platform, a microelectrode array, and a markerless rodent behavioral observation system. The University will coordinate site upgrades with university facilities and information technology departments to complete power, network, and Class 4 laser safety modifications prior to installation. Project personnel will develop standard operating procedures, author training protocols, and conduct vendor-supported demonstration workshops for internal and external laboratory groups.

The systems will integrate into the University's core resource facilities to support research into neurodegenerative diseases, spinal cord injury, and brain recovery. Deliverables include a tenfold increase in light microscopy resolution for molecular-level quantification, increased imaging depth capable of resolving paths inside the spinal cord of living animals, ultrasensitive biomarker detection datasets, label-free electrophysiological cellular network records, and objective automated locomotor gait tracking metrics. Programmatic milestones include peer-reviewed scientific publications, patented innovations, and documented user protocols.

Performance occurs at the recipient's location in South Miami, Florida, with a period of performance from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2029.

Purpose

The purpose of this project is to procure and install five advanced imaging and high-precision measuring systems for the miami project to cure paralysis research and innovation hub. The project aims to establish standardized operating procedures and specialized multi-user core testing environments to advance research into neurodegenerative diseases, spinal cord injury, and brain recovery. These tools directly support precision medicine, reliable metric testing, and biomedical innovation to establish predictive models of disease progression.

Activities

The recipient will execute a phased procurement plan to acquire a three-photon microscope, a super-resolution microscope, a nulisa biomarker platform, a microelectrode array, and a markerless rodent behavioral observation system. Key activities include coordinating with university facilities and information technology departments to complete site upgrades for power, network capabilities, and class 4 laser safety regulations prior to installation. Project personnel will develop standard operating procedures, author training protocols, and conduct advanced vendor-supported demonstration workshops for multiple internal and external lab groups.

Expected outcomes

The project will deliver an expanded, fully operational suite of high-precision research instruments integrated into the university's core resource facilities. Expected outcomes include a tenfold increase in obtainable light microscopy resolution for molecular-level quantification and an increased imaging depth capable of resolving paths inside the spinal cord of living animals. The completed infrastructure will generate ultrasensitive biomarker detection datasets, label-free electrophysiological cellular network records, and objective, automated locomotor gait tracking metrics. Programmatic milestones include peer-reviewed scientific publications, patented innovations, documented user protocols, and the expansion of standardized common data elements for neurotrauma research.

Intended beneficiaries

The primary beneficiaries are interdisciplinary scientific researchers, faculty lab groups, and curators across the university of miami campus who receive broad, shared access to advanced structural characterization tools. Undergraduate and graduate trainees will benefit from the direct acquisition of precision measurement skills and hands-on exposure to industry-standard biotechnology platforms. Additionally, external academic departments, startup companies, and the broader neurotrauma research community will benefit from the dissemination of standardized measurement techniques, technical blueprints, and white papers to accelerate therapeutic discoveries.

Subrecipient activities

The recipient does not intend to subaward funds.