# Optical Nanosensors Detect Neurotransmitter Release in the Peripheral Nervous System

> **NIH NIH OT2** · NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $323,037

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Recent converging evidence suggests that communication between the immune system and the
brain is critical for controlling inflammation. The brain receives information in response to injury
induced inflammation in the periphery which in turn initiates a reflex mechanism to suppress
immune responses. The resulting neuroendocrine reflex plays an important regulatory role in
the immune system. These bidirectional brain-peripheral immune communications operate
reflexively, in a closed feedback loop whereby neural circuits can exert significant influence to
modulate inflammation. However, the specific mechanisms underlying this brain-immune
signaling are largely unknown. Therefore, understanding the distinct molecular and
neurophysiological mechanisms that govern these complex pathways is critical, which motivates
us to develop new approaches to accurately detect and monitor these changes. We will develop
nanosensors for the detection of neurotransmitter release in the peripheral nervous system of
axolotls (regenerating salamanders). Our nanosensors are based on a modular platform that
can easily be tuned to an appropriate dynamic range, wavelengths for tissue penetration, and
size to be compatible with the in vivo environment. The juvenile axolotl is highly transparent and
nanosensors injected into the nervous system or organs will be imaged using light sheet
fluorescence microscopy. In addition, we have the ability to genetically modify the system to
develop a transgenic model that can be stimulated with light to target neuronal excitations, while
simultaneously measuring neurotransmitter levels via the fluorescence emitted from the injected
nanosensors. Combined, we will image volumetric release of acetylcholine in the peripheral
nervous system and spleen of the axolotl, and will translate these results to a mammalian model
by the end of the project period.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10445461
- **Project number:** 3OT2OD024909-01S4
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** James R Monaghan
- **Activity code:** OT2 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $323,037
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2017-09-22 → 2023-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10445461

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10445461, Optical Nanosensors Detect Neurotransmitter Release in the Peripheral Nervous System (3OT2OD024909-01S4). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10445461. Licensed CC0.

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