Potentiometric Probes turns cell voltage into a research tool
A beating heart cell presents an imaging problem: its movement can obscure the electrical signal a researcher is trying to measure. Potentiometric Probes sells fluorescent dyes for researchers studying that activity in cells and tissues. Some of the dyes bind to cell membranes and change their fluorescence as voltage changes, making electrical activity visible to an imaging system. The company serves academic and pharmaceutical researchers, with products that grew out of a university laboratory’s work.
Comparing two signals
One approach the company discusses is ratiometric imaging: recording fluorescence at two wavelengths and comparing the signals. Potentiometric Probes says this can reduce unwanted effects from movement or fading fluorescence, which can otherwise complicate a voltage measurement. For a scientist working with contracting heart tissue, that offers a way to separate a measurement problem from the biological signal of interest.
The technique comes with choices. The company says a two-channel setup is more complicated and can halve the frame rate. It lists ElectroFluor630p as compatible with ratiometric voltage imaging and offers assistance or a complete imaging system, including hardware, software and data analysis.
From laboratory work to a product catalog
Potentiometric Probes says it launched in 2017 to continue dye development and distribution previously handled by Leslie Loew’s lab. Loew, Corey Acker and Ping Yan are its co-founders. The company says the voltage-sensitive dyes in its catalog were originally designed and synthesized in Loew’s lab.