Cell line, system and method for optical-based screening of ion-channel modulators

A system for screening drug candidates to identify their effects on cell membrane ion channels and pumps, comprising:

• screening cells having light responsive membrane ion switches, voltage-gated ion switches and fluorescence producing voltage sensors;
• a chemical delivery device for introducing the drug candidates to be screened;
• an optical delivery device to activate the light responsive ion switches;
• an optical sensor to monitor fluorescence produced by the voltage sensors;
• a processor to process data received from the optical sensor;
• and
• memory for storing the data received from the optical sensor.

A method for screening drug candidates to identify their effects on cell membrane ion channels and pumps, the method comprising:

• introducing a drug candidate to be screened to cells having light responsive membrane ion switches, voltage gated ion switches and fluorescence producing voltage sensors;
• activating the light responsive membrane ion switches by generating light pulses;
• detecting fluorescence produced by the voltage sensors;
• processing data received from the optical sensor to identify changes in the cells electrical properties;
• and
• storing the processed data received from the optical sensor.

An arrangement for screening drug candidates to identify their effects on cell membrane ion channels and pumps, the method comprising:

• means for introducing a drug candidate to be screened to cells having light responsive membrane ion switches, voltage gated ion switches and fluorescence producing voltage sensors;
• means for activating the light responsive membrane ion switches by generating light pulses;
• means for detecting fluorescence produced by the voltage sensors;
• means for processing data received from the optical sensor to identify changes in the cells electrical properties;
• and
• means for storing the processed data received from the optical sensor.