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Related Concept Videos

Action Potentials01:41

Action Potentials

Overview
Action Potential: Phases of Stimulation01:28

Action Potential: Phases of Stimulation

The action potential is a complex electrical event that occurs in excitable cells, such as neurons and muscle cells. It consists of several distinct phases, each with specific characteristics.
Resting Phase:
In this phase, the cell's membrane is at its resting potential, typically around -70 millivolts (mV) for neurons. Inside the cell, there is a higher concentration of potassium ions (K+) and a lower concentration of sodium ions (Na+). Voltage-gated sodium channels are closed, and...
Action Potential01:14

Action Potential

Neurons communicate by firing action potentials—the electrochemical signal that is propagated along the axon. The signal results in the release of neurotransmitters at axon terminals, thereby transmitting information to the nervous system. An action potential is a specific "all-or-none" change in membrane potential that results in a rapid spike in voltage.
Membrane potential in neurons
Neurons typically have a resting membrane potential of about -70 millivolts (mV). When they receive...
Action Potential01:14

Action Potential

Neurons communicate by firing action potentials—the electrochemical signal that is propagated along the axon. The signal results in the release of neurotransmitters at axon terminals, thereby transmitting information to the nervous system. An action potential is a specific "all-or-none" change in membrane potential that results in a rapid spike in voltage.
Membrane potential in neurons
Neurons typically have a resting membrane potential of about -70 millivolts (mV). When they receive...
Propagation of Action Potentials01:23

Propagation of Action Potentials

The propagation of an action potential refers to the process by which a nerve impulse, or "action potential," travels along a neuron.
Neurons (nerve cells) have a resting membrane potential, with a slightly negative charge inside compared to outside. This is maintained by ion channels, such as sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) channels, which control the flow of ions. When a stimulus, like a touch or a signal from another neuron, triggers the neuron, sodium channels open, allowing sodium ions to...
G-Protein Gated Ion Channels01:21

G-Protein Gated Ion Channels

GPCRs are primarily responsible for our sense of smell, taste, and vision.  The binding of a sensory stimulus activates GPCR to stimulate effector proteins, many of which are ion channels in the sensory organs. GPCRs modulate the opening and closing of the target ion channels either directly by binding them, or by releasing second messengers that activate these channels. As ions move across the membrane, the membrane potential is altered, which induces an appropriate response.
Sensory organs,...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 30, 2026

Monitoring Electroporation-Induced Changes in Action Potential Generation in Genetically Engineered Tet-On Spiking HEK cells
10:12

Monitoring Electroporation-Induced Changes in Action Potential Generation in Genetically Engineered Tet-On Spiking HEK cells

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Screening action potentials: the power of light.

Lars Kaestner1, Peter Lipp

  • 1Institute for Molecular Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Saarland University Homburg/Saar, Germany.

Frontiers in Pharmacology
|August 18, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Optical methods offer a promising approach for detecting cellular electrophysiological failures by monitoring action potentials. This study outlines key requirements for scaling up optical action potential screening, particularly for cardiac drug discovery.

Keywords:
cardiac action potentialsgenetically encoded membrane potential sensorshuman cardiac myocytesmembrane potential dyesoptical screens

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Area of Science:

  • Electrophysiology
  • Optical imaging
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Action potentials are crucial indicators of cellular electrical activity and are valuable for diagnosing electrophysiological issues and drug screening.
  • Optical recording of cellular action potentials provides a non-invasive method for monitoring electrical activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline the essential prerequisites for scaling up optical action potential recording for applications like pharmacological screening.
  • To discuss current advancements and future perspectives in optical screening of cardiac action potentials.

Main Methods:

  • Review of model cell selection to accurately represent target cells.
  • Evaluation of optical sensors (small molecule dyes, genetically encoded probes) for reliable readout with minimal cellular interaction.
  • Assessment of device requirements for cell stimulation, high-speed signal acquisition, and high-throughput screening.

Main Results:

  • Identified critical factors for successful optical action potential screening: representative model cells, sensitive and minimally invasive optical probes, and efficient screening devices.
  • Discussed specific scenarios within cardiac physiology and pharmacology.

Conclusions:

  • Optical approaches are well-suited for high-throughput screening of cardiac action potentials.
  • Further development in model systems, sensors, and instrumentation is necessary to fully leverage optical methods for drug discovery and diagnostics.