ICAPPIC technology, a novel approach to high-throughput dose response testing of painkillers using single neuron cells

Project Purpose: To assess the commercial viability of a novel high-throughput analytical tool
for painkiller dose response testing based on navigated nanopipette technology.
ICAPPIC aims to design and develop a fully functional, commercially viable prototype of
automated equipment for rapid quantitative drug screening based on using a “smart”
electrochemical nanopipette for localised analyte application.
The ability to precisely move the nanopipette to target specific regions such as neuronal
processes allows an unprecedented level of control of drug application. The speed of data
acquisition positions this as a technology which may be suited to relatively high-throughput
application in human neuronal preparations which would greatly facilitate drug discovery.
The multibarrelled nanopipette allows rapid assessment of up to 8 factors; increasing the
throughput and range of data generated. Together these attributes make this an extremely
attractive technology from a drug discovery perspective.
This “Smart” multibarrel nanopipette can be used in combination with other techniques such
as microinjection, electrochemical measurement, and patch-clamp recording. This has the
potential to open new horizons in medicine and biology and could be of particular value to the
pharmaceutical industry.