BrainXell recently partnered with Neuroservices-Alliance to further characterize the electrophysiological properties of BrainXell’s human iPSC-derived Sensory Neurons. The collaboration combines BrainXell’s human sensory neuron model with Neuroservices-Alliance’s expertise in cell electrophysiology and patch-clamp assays for CNS and pain research.
Using whole-cell patch-clamp recording, the study evaluated neuronal membrane properties, intrinsic excitability, action potential firing, and voltage-gated sodium currents following 5–6 weeks of in vitro maturation.
Demonstrating Functional Neuronal Excitability
BrainXell Sensory Neurons displayed key electrophysiological characteristics of functional neurons, including negative resting membrane potentials. Importantly, 85% of neurons tested generated evoked action potentials, with responsive cells producing an average maximum of 12 ± 2 spikes during a one-second current injection.
Voltage-clamp analysis further demonstrated large voltage-gated Na⁺ currents, reaching 12,363 ± 1,377 pA under the CsCl/CsF recording condition. Most of the measured sodium current was TTX-sensitive, while approximately 14% was TTX-resistant, adding further functional characterization of the ion-channel activity present in the model.
Combining Human-Relevant Models with Specialized Electrophysiology
These findings provide additional characterization of BrainXell Sensory Neurons and demonstrate their ability to develop functional neuronal properties and stimulus-evoked activity following maturation. The collaboration also highlights the complementary capabilities of BrainXell and Neuroservices-Alliance: combining human iPSC-derived sensory neuron models with specialized electrophysiological characterization to support pain biology, ion-channel research, and preclinical drug discovery. Neuroservices-Alliance specifically supports electrophysiological characterization of human iPSC-derived neurons and pain-relevant targets including TRPV1 and NaV1.7/1.8/1.9.
Interested in applying BrainXell Sensory Neurons to your research? Connect with our team to learn more about the model and opportunities for functional characterization with NSA.