New technology for measuring electrical activity in heart cells
Official title: Optimized Ratiometric Voltage-Sensitive Dyes for Cardiac Research, Safety Pharmacology
Funded at Potentiometric Probes, LLC · NIH-10925298 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on new dyes that help scientists see how heart cells are electrically active, which could lead to better ways to test heart medications and create personalized treatments for patients.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Potentiometric Probes, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Farmington, United States) |
| Project start | September 8, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $929,918 |
| NIH project number | 5R44GM152985-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10925298 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with conditions affecting heart function, particularly those at risk for arrhythmias or cardiotoxicity.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-cardiac conditions or those who do not have any heart-related issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing advanced voltage-sensitive dyes that allow for precise optical recording of electrical activity in cardiac cells and tissues. By using these dyes, researchers can visualize changes in voltage across cell membranes through fluorescence, enabling high-speed cameras to capture detailed electrical signals without interference from muscle contractions. This innovative approach aims to improve drug screening for cardiotoxicity and may pave the way for personalized medicine using patient-derived heart cells.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more accurate assessments of heart cell function and improved drug safety evaluations for patients.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using optical techniques for cardiac studies, but this specific dual-wavelength approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
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Potentiometric Probes, LLC
Farmington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Acker, Corey — Potentiometric Probes, LLC
- Study coordinator: Acker, Corey
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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New tools for measuring electrical activity in heart cells
This study is working on new tools to help doctors see how heart cells behave by using special dyes that light up when the cells' electrical activity changes, which could make it easier to test new heart medications and eventually lead to treatments tailored just for you.
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.