# Roles of ion-channel mediated bioelectricity in developmental patterning

> **NIH NIH R35** · PURDUE UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $250,000

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
Embryogenesis from a fertilized egg into an individual is a precisely controlled process. One of the critical aspects
of embryogenesis is developmental patterning, which determines organ size and shape by orchestrating many
developmental and cellular events. Any abnormality from this patterning process will lead to congenital diseases
in humans. However, understanding the mechanisms that pattern embryos remains a central challenge in
developmental biology. The status quo of embryonic developmental patterning centers on the conceptual
framework that development is governed predominantly by morphogenetic proteins that activate transcription
factor networks in responding cells. The roles of bioelectricity in regulating embryonic developmental patterning
have just started to be recognized as a new mechanism of cellular signaling. Given many ion channels and
solute carriers are frequently involved in human congenital diseases, there is a critical need to understand ion
channel-mediated bioelectricity in developmental patterning. The lack of information about this bioelectric
patterning mechanism is a significant obstacle to understanding fundamental biological sciences and developing
therapeutic strategies for many human congenital diseases.
To address the demanding need, we will investigate the embryonic patterning mechanism of bioelectricity in the
zebrafish model using newly developed technologies for neuroscience, such as chemogenetic tools and
genetically encoded voltage indicators. Aim1. To elucidate the roles of bioelectricity in regulating zebrafish fin
patterning. Aim 2. To reveal the roles of bioelectricity in pigment cell patterning. With this long-studied pigment
system, we will further demonstrate bioelectricity as a general patterning mechanism in vertebrate
embryogenesis.
The expected outcomes will elucidate a less recognized developmental patterning mechanism by bioelectricity
in both zebrafish fin and skin pigment. This knowledge will establish a new concept for patterning in
developmental biology, provide the foundation for understanding vertebrate morphological diversity in evolution,
and principles for developing prevention or therapeutic strategies for congenital diseases.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11099398
- **Project number:** 3R35GM124913-08S1
- **Recipient organization:** PURDUE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** GuangJun Zhang
- **Activity code:** R35 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $250,000
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2017-09-01 → 2027-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11099398

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11099398, Roles of ion-channel mediated bioelectricity in developmental patterning (3R35GM124913-08S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11099398. Licensed CC0.

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