Developing advanced sensors to visualize electrical signals in the brain
Official title: Chemigenetic voltage indicators for far-red and two-photon imaging in vivo
Funded at Brown University · NIH-10731843 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on new sensors that can help us see and understand the electrical signals in the brain better, which could lead to important discoveries about how the brain works and help us learn more about brain disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Brown University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $2,164,867 |
| NIH project number | 1RF1NS133755-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10731843 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with neurological conditions or those interested in the underlying mechanisms of brain activity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to brain function or those not involved in neurological research may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating new types of sensors that can detect and visualize electrical signals in the brain, which are crucial for understanding how the nervous system functions. By developing brighter and more effective voltage indicators that can be used with advanced imaging techniques, the research aims to improve our ability to study brain activity in real-time. The sensors will be based on a novel mechanism that combines genetically encoded proteins with synthetic dyes, allowing for more precise measurements of brain signals. This innovative approach could lead to significant advancements in neuroscience and our understanding of brain disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance our understanding of brain function and lead to better treatments for neurological disorders.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in developing similar imaging techniques, indicating that this approach could lead to meaningful advancements in the field.
Where this research is happening
-
Brown University
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Abdelfattah, Ahmed — Brown University
- Study coordinator: Abdelfattah, Ahmed
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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.