Aurora Biomed’s ICR (Ion Channel Readers) combine the precision, and sensitivity of atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) with patented microsampling process and liquid handling technologies, creating a high-throughput screening solution for ion channel researchers that fills gaps which automated patch-clamp cannot. By detecting ion channel activity using atomic absorption spectroscopy and flux assays, the ICR series of Ion Channel Readers can analyze ion channels regardless of electrogenicity. Whereas non-electrogenic transporters, such as Cation-Chloride Cotransporters, are effectively invisible to patch clamp-based screens, Aurora’s ICR series analyzes their activity quickly, accurately, and easily.
ICR technology can be used with both voltage-gated (e.g., hERG, Kv1.1, Nav1.5) and ligand-gated (e.g., KATP, nAChR) channels, as well as with ion pumps and transporters (e.g., Na+/K+-ATPase), allowing researchers to accelerate drug development for the treatment and prevention of diseases associated with these key membrane transport proteins. ICR Ion Channel Readers obtain high throughput activity measurements for these and other channels and transporters by measuring the absolute concentrations of cytosolic and extracellular ions, a technique that is independent of, and complimentary to, methods that rely on voltage manipulation.
Aurora’s non-radioactive flux assays eliminate the need for radioisotopes, making your screens safer and more environmentally friendly while negating any work restrictions posed by Rb’s short half-life. The AAS-based screening technology means that there are no need to worry about quenching effects associated with fluorescence.
The ICR 8000 is a more affordable, mid-throughput ion channel screening system which is compact enough for the benchtop while retaining broad utility.
The ICR 12000 is designed for ultra-high throughput ion channel screening of compound libraries, incorporating multi-channel sampling and enhanced automation features.