# Building a two-way communication system: Bio-orthogonal superhydrophobic nanoparticles for controlled stimulation and real-time sensing of neurotransmitters

> **NIH NIH DP2** · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA · 2022 · $1,344,764

## Abstract

Project Summary:
 Technologies for monitoring chemical signaling in neuronal activities have long been desired
to understand the mysterious function of the brain, and the unravel underlying mechanisms of
neurological disorders such as epilepsy and Alzheimer’s disease. This project creates novel bio-
orthogonal nanosensors for in-vitro and in-vivo imaging of physiological ions and small molecule
neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine. Physiological ions such as K+, Na+, Cl-, and Ca2+ are
key to membrane potential of the neuron, and propagation of action potentials. In-vitro and in-
vivo recording of levels of these ions during neuronal communication has been focus of
research for decades. The neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) is involved in memory and
learning with implications in Alzheimer’s disease and psychiatric disorders. Studying ACh is
important for unravelling the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative and understudying the
connection between the gut microbiome and brain health. The scope of work proposed in this
application has potential to contribute major advances in public health through better
understanding of disease pathophysiology.
The immediate goal of this proposal to create bio-orthogonal fluorous nanosensors with dual
functionalities. To sense ionic neurotransmitters and to release these compounds upon light
stimulation. The nanoparticles will be developed using fluorous materials. Fluorous compounds
(molecules with high content of fluorine atoms) are extremely non-polar and non-polarizable to
the extent that they are not miscible with water and fatty substances. That is, fluorinated
compounds are both hydrophobic and lipophobic. As a matter of fact, living systems are made
of water and lipophilic compounds, making fluorocarbons bio-orthogonal, meaning that they do
not interfere with biology. This feature allows development of stable and nontoxic nanosensors
with widespread applications. The scientific questions that this proposal is answering are (i) Can
we control the fluorous- aqueous interface and use partially fluorinated voltage sensitive dyes
for contact-free readout of interfacial potential? (ii) Can we record chemical signaling in neuronal
communication using a platform and modular fluorous nanosensor? (iii) Can we trap fluorinated
metastable-photo-acids in superhydrophobic nanoparticles and use blue light for local release of
ionic moieties? (iv) Can we use local release of ions to start a dialogue with nerve cells, and
mimic the chemical signaling?

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10473375
- **Project number:** 1DP2GM150018-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Maral Mousavi
- **Activity code:** DP2 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $1,344,764
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-09-15 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10473375

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10473375, Building a two-way communication system: Bio-orthogonal superhydrophobic nanoparticles for controlled stimulation and real-time sensing of neurotransmitters (1DP2GM150018-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10473375. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*