Creating advanced sensors to detect opioids in the brain
Official title: High-throughput engineering of ligand-selective fluorescent biosensors for detecting endogenous and exogenous opioids
Funded at University of Washington · NIH-10635413 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on new tools that can help scientists see how certain brain chemicals related to opioids change over time, which could help us understand stress, memory, and learning better, especially for people dealing with neurological issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Washington NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | April 15, 2023 |
| Project end | April 14, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $2,510,153 |
| NIH project number | 1RF1MH130391-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10635413 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions related to opioid use or those affected by neurological disorders influenced by neuropeptide modulation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have any neurological conditions or opioid-related issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing innovative fluorescent biosensors that can accurately monitor the dynamics of opioid neuropeptides in the brain. By utilizing genetically-encoded sensors, the project aims to achieve high spatial and temporal resolution in detecting these neuropeptides, which are crucial for understanding behaviors related to stress, memory, and learning. The researchers will screen thousands of sensor variants quickly to identify the most effective ones for in vivo monitoring in animal models. This approach could lead to significant advancements in our understanding of opioid function and its implications for various neurological conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of opioid dynamics in the brain, potentially leading to better treatments for opioid-related disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using genetically-encoded sensors for monitoring neuropeptides, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Washington
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Berndt, Andre — University of Washington
- Study coordinator: Berndt, Andre
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Making genetic testing more accessible to the public
This study is all about making it easier for people at risk of certain cancers, like breast, ovarian, and colon cancers, to get genetic testing, so we can find out what helps them access these important services and understand how they can benefit from them.
-
Breast cancer diagnosis in low-resource settings using millifluidics and fast digital imaging in Ghana
A new project will test a fast, low-cost way to diagnose breast cancer at the point of care in Ghana using small-batch fluidics and direct digital imaging.
-
Binaural Hearing and Speech in Noise in Children
This project explores how children hear speech in noisy classrooms using how the two ears work together to see if binaural processing differences explain why some kids struggle more than others.
-
Neural circuits that control pain aversion in the brain
Researchers are exploring how a specific brain area helps people feel and avoid pain, with potential to lead to better pain treatments.
-
United World Antiviral Research Network (UWARN)
A collaborative, international effort is testing new virus surveillance and evolution ideas to help people living with HIV and communities in LMICs stay safer from current and emerging viruses.
-
HF endotypes in heart failure using ethical multi-modal AI and molecular data
A patient-friendly project that uses advanced AI and multiple kinds of health data to identify distinct heart failure subtypes that could guide personalized care.
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.