Voltage clamp fluorometry of TMEM16A channels in axolotl oocytes
Funded at University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-11500058 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A small NIH grant is funding a study to better understand how TMEM16A channels behave in axolotl (ambystoma) oocytes so researchers can design better drugs to prevent stroke damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R03 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 5, 2026 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $155,262 |
| NIH project number | 1R03NS152744-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11500058 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Not applicable for this basic science grant; applicable if translated to human trials later.
✕Less likely to help
No direct patient benefit from this basic mechanistic study; potential downstream therapies may help patients in the future.
What this research studies
This project will adapt a specialized technique called voltage clamp fluorometry to study TMEM16A channels in axolotl oocytes, linking structural changes to channel activity. By using Ambystoma oocytes instead of frog cells, the researchers aim to obtain clearer data on how inhibitory compounds affect the channel’s function. The findings could inform future drug development to reduce brain damage after ischemic stroke, particularly in people with hypertension who have higher TMEM16A activity. The work combines biophysics, imaging, and existing structural models to map how channel states relate to currents.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could accelerate the design of therapies that limit stroke-related brain injury by targeting TMEM16A channels more precisely.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies using voltage clamp fluorometry have advanced understanding of channel behavior, but applying it to Ambystoma oocytes is a novel approach with promising potential.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Peters, Christian — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Peters, Christian
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.