New technology for recording heart cell electrical activity
Official title: Multi-electroplasmonic nanoantenna arrays for wireless transmembrane-level recording of cardiomyocyte action potentials with sub-micrometer resolution
Funded at Massachusetts Institute of Technology · NIH-10981983 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new technology that uses tiny sensors to closely watch how heart cells work, which could help doctors understand heart problems better and create new treatments for patients with heart conditions.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $641,779 |
| NIH project number | 1R01HL172065-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10981983 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with known cardiac arrhythmias or those at high risk for developing cardiovascular diseases.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-cardiac related health issues or those who do not have any cardiovascular risk factors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel technology called multi-electroplasmonic nanoantenna arrays (MENAs) to monitor the electrical activity of heart cells, known as cardiomyocytes, with high precision. By using these nanoantennas, researchers aim to overcome current limitations in measuring action potentials, which are crucial for understanding heart rhythms and potential arrhythmias. The approach involves creating a wireless system that allows for long-term observation of heart cell behavior at a microscopic level, which could lead to better insights into cardiac diseases and the development of new treatments. Patients may benefit from advancements in therapies targeting heart conditions as a result of this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved understanding and treatment of cardiac arrhythmias, potentially reducing morbidity and mortality associated with cardiovascular diseases.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of using nanoantenna technology for electrophysiological studies is innovative, similar methodologies have shown promise in other areas of biomedical research, indicating potential for success in this application.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sarkar, Deblina — Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Sarkar, Deblina
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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.