Aurora Biomed’s Ion Channel Readers (ICR) combine the versatility, precision, and sensitivity of atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) with our patented microsampling process and liquid handling technologies, creating a high-throughput screening solution for ion channel researchers that fills gaps, which automated patch-clamp cannot. The ICR 8000 is a more affordable, mid-throughput ion channel screening system which is compact enough for the benchtop, while retaining broad utility.
The ICR 8000 can be used to assess both voltage-gated (hERG, BK/SK, Kv1.1, 1.4, 1.5, KCNQ, 2P, etc.) and ligand-gated (KATP, nAChR, etc.) ion channels, as well as ion pumps and transporters (e.g., Na+/K+-ATPase), allowing researchers to accelerate drug development for the treatment and prevention of diseases associated with these key membrane transport proteins.
Current applications include the evaluation of the Cation-Chloride Cotransporter (CCC), a critical component of neuronal chloride homeostasis that is an essential regulator of cell volume and neuronal excitability. Because CCCs are electroneutral, their activity cannot be measured using automated patch clamp techniques. The ICR 8000 is able to obtain high throughput activity measurements for these and other channels and transporters by measuring the absolute concentrations of cytosolic and extracellular ions, a technique that is independent of, and complimentary to, methods that rely on voltage manipulation.
Specifications
Medium Throughput: Up to 5000 wells/day
Single Channel: Measures 1 sample at a time
Minimum sample volume: 50 µl
Accommodation: 96/384-well microplates