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ELECTROPHYSIOLOGY & CALCIUM IMAGING ASSAYS FOR DRUG DISCOVERY

AnaBios provides electrophysiology and calcium imaging assays to evaluate compound effects on human dorsal root ganglia (DRG) excitability.  We utilize manual patch clamp to record neuronal action potentials or ionic currents. This technique offers precise measurement of action potential firing rate, action potential characteristics, rheobase and resting membrane potential.    

AnaBios also provides fluorescence based calcium imaging to assess the effect of compound-receptor interactions. Combining calcium imaging with electrical field stimulation, we can evaluate the effect of compounds on neuronal excitability by measuring the calcium transients associated with action potential firing.                

PAIN-RELATED FUNCTIONAL ASSAY DATA

Figure 1 (below) plots the number of evoked action potentials at the pacing frequencies of 0.1Hz, 1Hz, 3Hz and 10Hz in 10 neurons that were exposed to two sodium channel antagonists, carbamazepine and PF-05089771.

Error bars are SEM. At 0.1Hz, the neurons are stimulated by a train of 10 current pulses. At 1Hz, 3Hz and 10Hz, the neurons are stimulated by a train of 120 current pulses at the respective frequencies. Both Carbamazepine and PF-05089771 inhibited action potentials in a concentration and frequency-dependent manner. 

Figure 1: Carbamazepine Block of action potential firing

In Figure 2 (below) is a schematic figure of the recording of calcium transients (calcium steps) in a human DRG neuron loaded with Fluo-8 and stimulated by electrical field stimulation. The neural excitability in the form of evoked calcium steps can be measured simultaneously. The effect of a compound inhibitor can be measured by comparing the number of calcium steps pre and post addition of the inhibitor A. 

Figure 2: Schematic of Calcium Transients Recording in
Human Dorsal Root Ganglia neuron
Figure 3: Voltage Stimulation
figure 4: activation of calcium transients

CURRENT CLAMP ASSAY – ACTION POTENTIAL FIRING

ASSAY FORMAT

DRUG CONCENTRATIONS

FREQUENCY

NUMBER OF CELLS

Lead Candidate

3

0.1, 1, 3, 10Hz

10

Prostanglandin E2 + Bradykinin

3

0.1, 1, 3, 10Hz

10

Oxaliplain

3

0.1, 1, 3, 10Hz

10

Analysis includes rheobase, resting membrane potential, capacitance and number of action potentials at each frequency at each compound concentration.

RAMP CURRENT CLAMP ASSAY – ACTION POTENTIAL FIRING

ASSAY FORMAT

DRUG CONCENTRATIONS

NUMBER OF CELLS

Lead Candidate

3

10

Prostanglandin E2 + Bradykinin

3

10

Oxaliplain

3

10

Analysis includes rheobase, resting membrane potential, capacitance and number of action potentials for each applied ramp at each compound concentration.

VOLTAGE CURRENT CLAMP ASSAY – VOLTAGE-GATED SODIUM OR POTASSIUM CHANNELS

ASSAY FORMAT

DRUG CONCENTRATIONS

NUMBER OF CELLS

Lead Candidate

3 + hammer concentration

5

PAIN RESEARCH WEBINARS SPONSORED BY ANABIOS

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