Creating a portable backpack for brain sampling in rats
Official title: Portable Microsampling Backpack with Integrated Sensing System
Funded at University of Arkansas at Fayetteville · NIH-11039465 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is creating a special backpack that lets researchers collect brain samples from free-moving rats, helping them learn more about brain chemistry in a new and exciting way.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Arkansas at Fayetteville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Fayetteville, United States) |
| Project start | January 8, 2025 |
| Project end | December 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $147,519 |
| NIH project number | 1R21NS140877-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11039465 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research are individuals with neurological disorders or conditions that affect brain function, as the findings could lead to new insights and therapies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to brain function or those not involved in neuroscience research may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a portable microsampling backpack designed for neuroscience studies, allowing for brain sampling in unrestrained rats. The backpack will integrate advanced fluidic handling systems and chemical sensors, enabling real-time data collection and analysis. The project involves creating a prototype that combines microdialysis probes with a battery-powered system, ensuring durability and functionality during in vivo testing. This innovative approach aims to enhance the capabilities of neuroscience research by providing a new tool for studying brain chemistry.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the methods available for studying brain function and chemistry in real-time, leading to better understanding and treatment of neurological conditions.
How similar studies have gone: While the concept of portable sampling systems is innovative, similar approaches in neuroscience have shown promise, indicating potential for success in this novel application.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
Fayetteville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Stenken, Julie a — University of Arkansas at Fayetteville
- Study coordinator: Stenken, Julie a
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.