Bringing together a dynamic community of experts in ion channel research, this year’s Cambridge Ion Channel Forum (CICF) took place at AstraZeneca’s state-of-the-art Discovery Centre (DISC) on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus in, Cambridge, UK. It was an engaging gathering of delegates from pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, academia and contract research organisations, to reconnect with colleagues, establish new collaborations, and immerse in a day of ion channel research updates. The event was jointly organised by AstraZeneca, Metrion, and British Pharmacological Society.
The scientific programme was divided into three sessions, each featuring leading researchers presenting recent advances in ion channel research and technology. The speaker sessions took place at the Baselga Auditorium, which was named after José Baselga, to celebrate his life and career as a pioneering physician and oncologist. His legacy was especially resonant during the first session, chaired by Dr Eddy Stevens, Metrion, which focused on the potential of ion channels in cancer treatment. The session began with Prof Hugh Robinson providing an overview of his research into the potential role of a multitude of ion channels in pancreatic neuroendocrine cell cancers. The identification of promising ion channel targets in cancer treatment was particularly encouraging. This was followed by Dr Kelly Gatfield, GSK, who presented the history of electrophysiology methodologies at GSK and their evolving screening capabilities aimed at lowering costs and reducing the risk of failures in late-stage drug development. With an emphasis on the importance of the quality of reagents and compound handling, this session highlighted the crucial role of advancing ion channel methodologies and the power of these developing tools in identifying treatments for malignancies. Overall, the first session showcased how refined electrophysiological methods and novel ion channel insights are driving a new era of precision in biomedical research and drug discovery.
The second session, chaired by Dr Ali Obergrussberger, Nanion Technologies, featured Dr Paul Miller, University of Cambridge, who delved into the intriguing biophysical details of GABAA receptor subunits and their interactions with nanobodies. His impressive, detailed studies emphasise the level of precision that can be achieved when developing antibodies and pharmacological tools. Next, Prof Christian Grimm from the University of Munich provided an excellent overview of lysosomal physiology and channelopathies, with an intriguing reference to Wassily Kandinsky’s 1913 ‘Squares with Concentric Circles’ painting to highlight the naturally heterogeneous composition and functioning of lysosomes. This diversity in nature introduces a level of complexity when studying lysosomes using the current tools in hand. Prof Christian Grimm, University of Munich, presented an agonist discovery journey involving automated patch clamp and FLIPR assays suggests that TPC2 is a promising ion channel target for the treatment of different types of lysosomal storage diseases. This was confirmed by both in vitro assays such as lipofuscin accumulation and behavioural rotarod locomotor activity assays. Next, Dr Alex Haworth, Metrion, spoke about the involvement of hNaV1.7 in normal physiology and pain and targeting gain- and loss-of-function mutations using toxin-peptide fusions. Alex provided an overview of Metrion’s service offerings with a focus on the use of Qube 384 to assess the potencies of toxin-Fc region fusions against hNaV1.7 and the associated selectivity screening on other voltage-dependent sodium channel subtypes (hNaV1.x). This detailed electrophysiological study was a collaboration with Prof Paul Miller, whose laboratory produced the fusions for testing. His talk generated a lively discussion and Metrion was praised for the meticulous approach from a biophysical perspective, bringing the session to a close. Together, this session provided a fascinating journey through cutting-edge ion channel research, blending structural insights, innovative screening technologies, and translational relevance, underscoring the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing therapeutic discovery.
After a dynamic and well-attended poster session, the third and final session, chaired by Dr Katie Puddefoot, Metrion, opened with a return to the topic of lysosomal ion channels. Professor Sandip Patel, University College London, highlighted the growing importance of understanding organellar ion channels in the treatment of an array of disorders. His comprehensive studies indicated how TPCs can switch their ion selectivity in an agonist-dependent manner, and that the channel’s relative permeability to ions are altered by agonists working in synergy. It was fascinating to see how TPC2 and IP3 receptors coordinate local releases of calcium between lysosomes and the endoplasmic reticulum, creating a larger, global calcium signal, in a similar fashion to the calcium-induced calcium release mechanism of the heart. The final presentation was by Prof Raimund Dutzler, University of Zurich, who gave an engaging overview of research on TMEM16 family of ion channels through history, with a detailed focus on the structural, electrophysiological, and pharmacological differences between channel subtypes and his mutagenesis studies which facilitated a greater understanding of ion permeation properties of different subtypes. This session encapsulated the spirit of the day by blending mechanistic discovery with structural elegance. Both speakers contributed to the illumination of the nuanced roles of organellar and transmembrane ion channels in cellular signalling and reinforcing their growing therapeutic relevance.
The day concluded with poster prizes awarded to Monica Qiu, University of Cambridge, and Maria Roznovcova, University of Reading. This was followed by a relaxed drinks reception and pizza.
CICF 2025 was another successful edition of this much-anticipated annual gathering. Huge congratulations and thanks to all the presenters, delegates, and the organisers – Dr Sophie Rose (Metrion) and Dr Liz Roberts (AstraZeneca), Isabel Brinsden and Bonnie Rayner (BPS).
The Cambridge Ion Channel Forum 2026 will take place on 7th May at AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK.
Bringing together a dynamic community of experts in ion channel research, this year’s Cambridge Ion Channel Forum (CICF) took place at AstraZeneca’s state-of-the-art Discovery Centre (DISC) on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus in, Cambridge, UK. It was an engaging gathering of delegates from pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, academia and contract research organisations, to reconnect with colleagues, establish new collaborations, and immerse in a day of ion channel research updates. The event was jointly organised by AstraZeneca, Metrion, and British Pharmacological Society.
The scientific programme was divided into three sessions, each featuring leading researchers presenting recent advances in ion channel research and technology. The speaker sessions took place at the Baselga Auditorium, which was named after José Baselga, to celebrate his life and career as a pioneering physician and oncologist. His legacy was especially resonant during the first session, chaired by Dr Eddy Stevens, Metrion, which focused on the potential of ion channels in cancer treatment. The session began with Prof Hugh Robinson providing an overview of his research into the potential role of a multitude of ion channels in pancreatic neuroendocrine cell cancers. The identification of promising ion channel targets in cancer treatment was particularly encouraging. This was followed by Dr Kelly Gatfield, GSK, who presented the history of electrophysiology methodologies at GSK and their evolving screening capabilities aimed at lowering costs and reducing the risk of failures in late-stage drug development. With an emphasis on the importance of the quality of reagents and compound handling, this session highlighted the crucial role of advancing ion channel methodologies and the power of these developing tools in identifying treatments for malignancies. Overall, the first session showcased how refined electrophysiological methods and novel ion channel insights are driving a new era of precision in biomedical research and drug discovery.
The second session, chaired by Dr Ali Obergrussberger, Nanion Technologies, featured Dr Paul Miller, University of Cambridge, who delved into the intriguing biophysical details of GABAA receptor subunits and their interactions with nanobodies. His impressive, detailed studies emphasise the level of precision that can be achieved when developing antibodies and pharmacological tools. Next, Prof Christian Grimm from the University of Munich provided an excellent overview of lysosomal physiology and channelopathies, with an intriguing reference to Wassily Kandinsky’s 1913 ‘Squares with Concentric Circles’ painting to highlight the naturally heterogeneous composition and functioning of lysosomes. This diversity in nature introduces a level of complexity when studying lysosomes using the current tools in hand. Prof Christian Grimm, University of Munich, presented an agonist discovery journey involving automated patch clamp and FLIPR assays suggests that TPC2 is a promising ion channel target for the treatment of different types of lysosomal storage diseases. This was confirmed by both in vitro assays such as lipofuscin accumulation and behavioural rotarod locomotor activity assays. Next, Dr Alex Haworth, Metrion, spoke about the involvement of hNaV1.7 in normal physiology and pain and targeting gain- and loss-of-function mutations using toxin-peptide fusions. Alex provided an overview of Metrion’s service offerings with a focus on the use of Qube 384 to assess the potencies of toxin-Fc region fusions against hNaV1.7 and the associated selectivity screening on other voltage-dependent sodium channel subtypes (hNaV1.x). This detailed electrophysiological study was a collaboration with Prof Paul Miller, whose laboratory produced the fusions for testing. His talk generated a lively discussion and Metrion was praised for the meticulous approach from a biophysical perspective, bringing the session to a close. Together, this session provided a fascinating journey through cutting-edge ion channel research, blending structural insights, innovative screening technologies, and translational relevance, underscoring the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing therapeutic discovery.
After a dynamic and well-attended poster session, the third and final session, chaired by Dr Katie Puddefoot, Metrion, opened with a return to the topic of lysosomal ion channels. Professor Sandip Patel, University College London, highlighted the growing importance of understanding organellar ion channels in the treatment of an array of disorders. His comprehensive studies indicated how TPCs can switch their ion selectivity in an agonist-dependent manner, and that the channel’s relative permeability to ions are altered by agonists working in synergy. It was fascinating to see how TPC2 and IP3 receptors coordinate local releases of calcium between lysosomes and the endoplasmic reticulum, creating a larger, global calcium signal, in a similar fashion to the calcium-induced calcium release mechanism of the heart. The final presentation was by Prof Raimund Dutzler, University of Zurich, who gave an engaging overview of research on TMEM16 family of ion channels through history, with a detailed focus on the structural, electrophysiological, and pharmacological differences between channel subtypes and his mutagenesis studies which facilitated a greater understanding of ion permeation properties of different subtypes. This session encapsulated the spirit of the day by blending mechanistic discovery with structural elegance. Both speakers contributed to the illumination of the nuanced roles of organellar and transmembrane ion channels in cellular signalling and reinforcing their growing therapeutic relevance.
The day concluded with poster prizes awarded to Monica Qiu, University of Cambridge, and Maria Roznovcova, University of Reading. This was followed by a relaxed drinks reception and pizza.
CICF 2025 was another successful edition of this much-anticipated annual gathering. Huge congratulations and thanks to all the presenters, delegates, and the organisers – Dr Sophie Rose (Metrion) and Dr Liz Roberts (AstraZeneca), Isabel Brinsden and Bonnie Rayner (BPS).
The Cambridge Ion Channel Forum 2026 will take place on 7th May at AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK.
Bringing together a dynamic community of experts in ion channel research, this year’s Cambridge Ion Channel Forum (CICF) took place at AstraZeneca’s state-of-the-art Discovery Centre (DISC) on the Cambridge Biomedical Campus in, Cambridge, UK. It was an engaging gathering of delegates from pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, academia and contract research organisations, to reconnect with colleagues, establish new collaborations, and immerse in a day of ion channel research updates. The event was jointly organised by AstraZeneca, Metrion, and British Pharmacological Society.
The scientific programme was divided into three sessions, each featuring leading researchers presenting recent advances in ion channel research and technology. The speaker sessions took place at the Baselga Auditorium, which was named after José Baselga, to celebrate his life and career as a pioneering physician and oncologist. His legacy was especially resonant during the first session, chaired by Dr Eddy Stevens, Metrion, which focused on the potential of ion channels in cancer treatment. The session began with Prof Hugh Robinson providing an overview of his research into the potential role of a multitude of ion channels in pancreatic neuroendocrine cell cancers. The identification of promising ion channel targets in cancer treatment was particularly encouraging. This was followed by Dr Kelly Gatfield, GSK, who presented the history of electrophysiology methodologies at GSK and their evolving screening capabilities aimed at lowering costs and reducing the risk of failures in late-stage drug development. With an emphasis on the importance of the quality of reagents and compound handling, this session highlighted the crucial role of advancing ion channel methodologies and the power of these developing tools in identifying treatments for malignancies. Overall, the first session showcased how refined electrophysiological methods and novel ion channel insights are driving a new era of precision in biomedical research and drug discovery.
The second session, chaired by Dr Ali Obergrussberger, Nanion Technologies, featured Dr Paul Miller, University of Cambridge, who delved into the intriguing biophysical details of GABAA receptor subunits and their interactions with nanobodies. His impressive, detailed studies emphasise the level of precision that can be achieved when developing antibodies and pharmacological tools. Next, Prof Christian Grimm from the University of Munich provided an excellent overview of lysosomal physiology and channelopathies, with an intriguing reference to Wassily Kandinsky’s 1913 ‘Squares with Concentric Circles’ painting to highlight the naturally heterogeneous composition and functioning of lysosomes. This diversity in nature introduces a level of complexity when studying lysosomes using the current tools in hand. Prof Christian Grimm, University of Munich, presented an agonist discovery journey involving automated patch clamp and FLIPR assays suggests that TPC2 is a promising ion channel target for the treatment of different types of lysosomal storage diseases. This was confirmed by both in vitro assays such as lipofuscin accumulation and behavioural rotarod locomotor activity assays. Next, Dr Alex Haworth, Metrion, spoke about the involvement of hNaV1.7 in normal physiology and pain and targeting gain- and loss-of-function mutations using toxin-peptide fusions. Alex provided an overview of Metrion’s service offerings with a focus on the use of Qube 384 to assess the potencies of toxin-Fc region fusions against hNaV1.7 and the associated selectivity screening on other voltage-dependent sodium channel subtypes (hNaV1.x). This detailed electrophysiological study was a collaboration with Prof Paul Miller, whose laboratory produced the fusions for testing. His talk generated a lively discussion and Metrion was praised for the meticulous approach from a biophysical perspective, bringing the session to a close. Together, this session provided a fascinating journey through cutting-edge ion channel research, blending structural insights, innovative screening technologies, and translational relevance, underscoring the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing therapeutic discovery.
After a dynamic and well-attended poster session, the third and final session, chaired by Dr Katie Puddefoot, Metrion, opened with a return to the topic of lysosomal ion channels. Professor Sandip Patel, University College London, highlighted the growing importance of understanding organellar ion channels in the treatment of an array of disorders. His comprehensive studies indicated how TPCs can switch their ion selectivity in an agonist-dependent manner, and that the channel’s relative permeability to ions are altered by agonists working in synergy. It was fascinating to see how TPC2 and IP3 receptors coordinate local releases of calcium between lysosomes and the endoplasmic reticulum, creating a larger, global calcium signal, in a similar fashion to the calcium-induced calcium release mechanism of the heart. The final presentation was by Prof Raimund Dutzler, University of Zurich, who gave an engaging overview of research on TMEM16 family of ion channels through history, with a detailed focus on the structural, electrophysiological, and pharmacological differences between channel subtypes and his mutagenesis studies which facilitated a greater understanding of ion permeation properties of different subtypes. This session encapsulated the spirit of the day by blending mechanistic discovery with structural elegance. Both speakers contributed to the illumination of the nuanced roles of organellar and transmembrane ion channels in cellular signalling and reinforcing their growing therapeutic relevance.
The day concluded with poster prizes awarded to Monica Qiu, University of Cambridge, and Maria Roznovcova, University of Reading. This was followed by a relaxed drinks reception and pizza.
CICF 2025 was another successful edition of this much-anticipated annual gathering. Huge congratulations and thanks to all the presenters, delegates, and the organisers – Dr Sophie Rose (Metrion) and Dr Liz Roberts (AstraZeneca), Isabel Brinsden and Bonnie Rayner (BPS).
The Cambridge Ion Channel Forum 2026 will take place on 7th May at AstraZeneca, Cambridge, UK.