A Virginia-based company is receiving a grant from the National Cancer Institute to study brain tumors.

Roanoke-based Luna Innovations says it hopes to use nanotechnology to improve the chances that a brain tumor can be diagnosed. Luna plans to adapt exclusive technology to improve imaging, which will help advance diagnosis and treatment of brain cancer.

The company says primary malignant brain tumors cause 13,000 deaths in the United States annually. Survival rates following therapeutic intervention are also among the lowest compared to other cancers.

Luna has facilities is Blacksburg, Danville, Charlottesville, Hampton and northern Virginia.