All-optical electrophysiology

 

Q-State Biosciences invented a suite of genetic, cell culture, optical and computational tools to convert cardiac action potentials into quantifiable pulses of light.  Q-State’s proprietary fluorescent voltage indicating protein has greater speed, sensitivity, and stability than any other fluorescent voltage indicator.  Upon expression in a cardiomyocyte, the fluorescence dynamics faithfully reproduce the action potential waveform with sub-millisecond time resolution and sub-millivolt precision.  Combination with a proprietary optogenetic actuator enables optical pacing of the cells.  Combination with a calcium indicating protein enables simultaneous measurement of voltage and Ca2+.  Q-State uses these technologies to provide a functional readout in cell-based models of cardiac drug response and disease.

 

Q-State technology is unique in its ability to probe voltage and Ca2+ simultaneously in optically paced cardiomyocytes.  Simultaneous measurement of voltage and Ca2+ provides mechanistic insight not discernable from either quantity in isolation.  Optical pacing is essential for cardiotoxicity studies, where some cardiotoxic effects only manifest at elevated beat rates.  These attributes provide unmatched ability to dissect cardiac disease mechanisms and drug effects.