Exploring how electrical signals affect cell behavior and communication
Chemical Approaches to Visualize and Quantify Cellular Physiology
This study is exploring how electrical signals in all types of cells work and how we can see and measure them better, which could help us understand important health issues like cancer and sleep disorders.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Berkeley NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Berkeley, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11061012 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on understanding the role of membrane potentials in all cell types, not just those in the brain. It aims to develop new optical methods to visualize and quantify these electrical signals, which are crucial for cell signaling, differentiation, and various physiological processes. By improving the measurement of membrane potentials, the research seeks to uncover how these bioelectrical signals influence cellular functions and interactions. This could lead to better insights into conditions like cancer and circadian rhythm disorders.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions related to cellular signaling, such as cancer or circadian rhythm disorders.
Not a fit: Patients with conditions unrelated to cellular physiology or electrical signaling may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for diseases influenced by cellular electrical signals.
How similar studies have performed: While the exploration of bioelectrical signals is a growing field, the specific optical methods being developed in this research are novel and have not been extensively tested.
Where this research is happening
Berkeley, United States
- University of California Berkeley — Berkeley, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Miller, Evan Walker — University of California Berkeley
- Study coordinator: Miller, Evan Walker
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 below.