Cell-Based Ion Channel Assays

Ion channels are the basis of bioelectric activities for living organisms. Creative Bioarray is committed to using multiple advanced detection technologies to analyze distinct ion channels on the cell membrane. Our cell-based ion channel assay services will accelerate the progress of our clients' ion channel research.

Background

Ion channels are pore-forming transmembrane protein complexes that have a variety of important physiological functions in living organisms, including regulating ion flow across cell membranes to generate electrical signals, gating ion flow across epithelial and secretory cells, and controlling cell volume. Disruption or mutation of ion channels often leads to serious disease and are therefore considered valuable targets for drug development in a variety of therapeutic areas.

In order to address the most challenging ion channel targets in any desired cellular context, our researchers have developed a variety of optimized assays to perform ion channel analysis work. The membrane clamp technique is now widely used to study cellular ion channels and is increasingly becoming a common technique for physiological function at the cellular level. With further refinement and integration with other biotechnologies, the technique has been widely used in the measurement of cell membrane ion channel currents, cellular secretion, pharmacology, pathology, neuroscience brain science, cell biology, and molecular biology.

Fig. 1 An example of open and closed ion channels and disease ion channels. (Kabra, 2020)

Our Services

Researchers at Creative Bioarray have developed advanced ion channel detection systems and optimized assays to assist customers in the detection of a wide range of ion channels such as voltage-gated ion channels (hERG, BK/SK, Kv1.1, 1.4,1.5, KCNQ, 2P, etc.), ligand-gated ion channels (KATP, nAchR, etc.) and transport carriers. Our services include but are not limited to:

• Potassium ion channel assay
  We take full advantage of the permeability of potassium channels to thallium (Tl⁺) ions and use new and improved indicator dyes to detect different potassium channel isoforms with high detection sensitivity, including hERG, Kv1.3, Kir2.1, KATP, and many other potassium ion channel gene products.
• Calcium ion channel assay
  We detect calcium channels using ion probes, which provide a method for correlating ion channel activation with subsequent changes in intracellular ion concentration.
• Chloride ion channel assay
  We offer a variety of optimized assays for the detection of chloride ion channels such as the sensitive and stable colorimetric method and the halide sensor based on fluorescent protein.
• Measurement of changes in cells' membrane potential by voltage sensor probes.

Advantages

• Methods with sensitivity and specificity for different ion channels
• High-throughput capabilities
• Ease-of-use
• Assay flexibility
• Fast and highly reproducible results

Creative Bioarray has built an advanced and extensive technology platform to provide ion channel assay services to our clients. Our reliable scientific services and expert technical support will make a significant contribution to the success of your drug development in a wide range of therapeutic areas. If you are interested in our services, please contact us for more details.

Reference

1. Kabra, M.; Pattnaik, B. R. Sensing through non-sensing ocular ion channels. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2020, 21(18): 6925.