Modulation of human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocyte (hiPSC-CM) ion channels and transporter activity, measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS)

During human clinical trials, a large percentage of candidate drugs fail because they are unsafe or ineffective. Even when preclinical cell and animal studies seem positive, problems occur because drugs tested with these models are often not predictive of what happens in humans. Many drugs, including non-cardiovascular drugs, target ion channels of the heart (membrane proteins through which heart cells conduct electrical currents), which can potentially result in lethal arrhythmias. Thus, it is critical to use preclinical models and technologies that can closely reproduce what happens in humans to better predict drug safety and efficacy. To streamline the therapeutic development pipeline, we are proposing to develop an atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS)-based ion flux assay using hiPSC-CM to better predict the effects of new molecules on the electrical activity of the heart. For this project, the ion channel reader (ICR) manufactured by Aurora Biomed, the Vancouver-based partner organization will be used.

Faculty Supervisor:

David Fedida

Student:

Logan Macdonald

Partner:

Aurora Biomed Inc.

Discipline:

Pharmacy / Pharmacology

Sector:

Life sciences

University:

Program: