Mapping electrical signals inside cell parts
Intracellular Electrophysiology: An electrochemical atlas of organelles
This project maps the electrical and chemical states of tiny cell compartments to help guide new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11146501 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will chart the electrochemical conditions inside organelles (the cell's internal parts) and where those organelles touch each other. They will use new intracellular electrochemical tools to measure ion and small-molecule flows across organelle contacts. By comparing healthy and disease-related cells, the team aims to identify which contact behaviors are helpful or harmful. The goal is to point to molecular targets that could be fixed to restore healthy cell communication in neurodegeneration.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with neurodegenerative conditions (for example Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, or ALS) who might donate tissue or participate in related biomarker/sample collection would be most relevant.
Not a fit: Individuals without neurodegenerative disease or whose conditions are unrelated to organelle contact defects are unlikely to see direct benefit in the near term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal new ways to restore broken communication between cell parts and open path toward therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.
How similar studies have performed: Related research has linked organelle contact defects to neurodegeneration, but building a comprehensive electrochemical atlas is a novel and largely untested approach.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- University of Chicago — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Krishnan, Yamuna — University of Chicago
- Study coordinator: Krishnan, Yamuna
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.