Custom Assay Development
The landscape of therapeutic ion channels extends far beyond standard off-the-shelf panels. Whether you are investigating a novel, uncharacterized target or require a highly specialized protocol for a known channel, ChanPharm has the expertise to build a custom screening solution from the ground up.
Our Custom Services Include:
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Cell Line Generation: Development and validation of stable cell lines expressing your specific human or ortholog (e.g., rat, mouse) ion channel subunits.
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Protocol Optimization: Tailoring intracellular/extracellular solutions and voltage/ligand protocols to isolate specific currents and manage challenging, fast-desensitizing targets.
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Assay Translation: Successfully transferring and scaling up manual patch clamp assays to high-throughput automated platforms (SyncroPatch 384) for large screening campaigns.
Exploring the Broader Target Landscape
Our team of expert electrophysiologists has extensive experience navigating the diverse families of ion channels. If your drug discovery program targets complex sensory, inflammatory, or metabolic pathways, we can partner with you to develop robust assays for targets such as:
- TRP Channels (e.g., TRPV1, TRPM8): Key transducers of noxious stimuli, validated as targets for various neuropathic and inflammatory pain states.
- Purinergic P2X Receptors: ATP-gated channels implicated in chronic cough, visceral pain, and neuroinflammation.
- ASICs (Acid-Sensing Ion Channels): Critical modulators of pain during tissue acidosis and ischemic events.
- HCN Channels: Voltage-gated channels driving pacemaker currents, relevant in cardiac arrhythmias and epilepsy.
- Two-Pore Domain Potassium Channels (e.g., TREK/TRAAK): Background leak channels vital for setting the resting membrane potential.
Cardiac Safety & Pharmacology
Evaluating the cardiac liability of novel drug candidates is a mandatory step in preclinical drug discovery. ChanPharm offers robust, routine screening assays aligned with the Comprehensive in vitro Proarrhythmia Assay (CiPA) initiative to detect potential cardiotoxicity early in your pipeline.
Don't see your target listed?
Let's discuss your specific research needs and build an assay that delivers the data you require.
Contact Our Scientific Team