Exploring how electrical signals affect cell behavior and communication
Official title: Chemical Approaches to Visualize and Quantify Cellular Physiology
Funded at University of California Berkeley · NIH-11061012 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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 start | April 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $382,425 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM153237-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11061012 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions related to cellular signaling, such as cancer or circadian rhythm disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with conditions unrelated to cellular physiology or electrical signaling may not benefit from this research.
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.
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 gone: 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
-
University of California Berkeley
Berkeley, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Miller, Evan Walker — University of California Berkeley
- Study coordinator: Miller, Evan Walker
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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.