There is growing interest in automated patch-clamp (APC) assays for ligand-gated targets which are expressed throughout the peripheral and central nervous system. The Acid-Sensing Ion Channel (ASIC) family comprises combinations of ASIC1-4 proteins that form acid-activated cation-selective channels. ASIC channels underlie complex neurological processes and diseases such as cognition, synaptic plasticity, pain, ischemia and epilepsy. ASIC channels are subject to evolutionary predator-prey arms races as shown by potent snake and spider toxins such as Mambalgin-1 and Psalmotoxin-1.
Development of a robust hNaV1.9 high-throughput screening assay on the Sophion Qube384 platform. This is complemented by a suite of ion channel selectivity assays and sensory neuron recordings to create a versatile screening cascade to support NaV1.9 drug discovery programmes.
Optical voltage imaging of human iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes was used to assess electrophysiological effects of compounds beyond hERG inhibition. Action potential waveform analysis revealed compound-specific and concentration-dependent changes, enabling mechanistic differentiation of multichannel activity and demonstrating a human-relevant approach for translational cardiac safety assessment.