A new tool for discovering drugs to treat neurological disorders

Ultra-High-Throughput Plate Reader for Drug Discovery Using All-Optical Electrophysiology

NIH-funded research Quiver Bioscience INC. · NIH-11262016

This study is working on a new tool that helps scientists quickly test new drugs for brain-related conditions by measuring how brain cells respond to different treatments, making it easier to find effective therapies for people.

Quick facts

Grant typeSbir 2 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionQuiver Bioscience INC. NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Cambridge, United States)
Project IDNIH-11262016 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on developing an ultra-high-throughput plate reader that uses all-optical electrophysiology to enhance drug discovery for neurological disorders. By utilizing advanced optogenetics tools, the instrument can simultaneously record voltage and calcium activity from multiple samples, allowing for rapid screening of potential therapeutic candidates. This innovative approach aims to overcome existing barriers in neuroscience drug discovery by providing scalable and translatable assays that can predict human efficacy more effectively.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from neurological disorders who may benefit from new therapeutic options.

Not a fit: Patients with non-neurological conditions or those not affected by neurological disorders may not receive any benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new and more effective treatments for neurological disorders.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promise in using advanced technologies for drug discovery, indicating that this approach could lead to significant advancements in the field.

Where this research is happening

Cambridge, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.