# Cell Physiology Core

> **NIH NIH P01** · UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA · 2021 · $314,808

## Abstract

CORE C PROJECT SUMMARY
Pannexin 1 (Panx1) forms plasma membrane ion channels that release important intercellular signalling
molecules, specifically ATP and UTP, under pathological and physiological conditions; the channels also support
uptake of various fluorescent dyes that have traditionally been used to mark apoptotic cells (e.g., YO-PRO-1,
TO-PRO-3). In this PPG application, novel mouse models are employed to ascertain contributions of Panx1-
mediated ATP/UTP release, (and other metabolite release, when needed) to various aspects of cardiometabolic
diseases, and to understand corresponding mechanisms of Panx1 channel activation. Cell Physiology Core
centralizes the functional analysis of Pannexin channels by absorbing, optimizing and standardizing the key
assays of universal significance to all four projects. These include: (1) Analysis of Panx1 channel function in
primary cells by electrophysiology and dye uptake assays and; (2) Electrophysiological characterization of novel
small molecule modulators of Pannexin channels. Similarly, the core also takes the initiative in the development
of innovative tools and methods that can provide a clear technical edge to the entire research program. This
includes generation of novel Panx1 variants and gene-edited mouse lines, generated by CRISPR/Cas9
technology. In executing these centralized goals, often of salience to the entire research program, the core
recognizes the paramount importance of data quality and reproducibility. For the vertical and horizontal
integration proposed in this PPG, this core sits at the interface between cellular and systems levels of analysis
of Panx1 function.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10200121
- **Project number:** 5P01HL120840-08
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
- **Principal Investigator:** BIMAL N. DESAI
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $314,808
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2014-08-01 → 2024-05-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10200121

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10200121, Cell Physiology Core (5P01HL120840-08). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10200121. Licensed CC0.

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