New tools for measuring electrical activity in heart cells
Official title: A Palette of Near-Infrared Voltage Sensors for Cardiac Research and Safety Pharmacology
Funded at Potentiometric Probes, LLC · NIH-10822619 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Potentiometric Probes, LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Farmington, United States) |
| Project start | January 15, 2024 |
| Project end | July 14, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $282,266 |
| NIH project number | 1R43HL172546-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10822619 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with cardiac conditions or those interested in new treatments for heart arrhythmias.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-cardiac conditions or those who do not have access to the necessary stem cell-derived heart cell technology may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing advanced optical tools that can accurately record electrical activity in cardiac cells and tissues. By using organic voltage-sensitive dyes, the project aims to create a system where changes in voltage across cell membranes are converted into visible fluorescence, allowing for detailed observation of heart cell behavior. The technology utilizes high-speed cameras to capture electrical signals across many cells simultaneously, which could improve drug screening for heart-related conditions. Additionally, the research involves using human stem cell-derived heart cells, which may lead to personalized medicine approaches in the future.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enhance the safety and effectiveness of new heart medications by providing more accurate assessments of their effects on heart cells.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using optical recording techniques for cardiac studies, indicating that this approach could be effective.
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 technology for measuring electrical activity in heart cells
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.
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.