# Organellar electrophysiology: DNA nanodevices charging at the unmeasured

## TL;DR

New DNA-based nanodevices allow scientists to study ion levels in cell organelles, opening up possibilities for understanding diseases and cellular processes.

## Contribution

The development of DNA nanodevices for imaging-based mapping of sodium and potassium levels in membranous organelles.

## Key findings

- DNA nanodevices like Clensor, RatiNa, and pHlicKer enable imaging of ion levels in organelles.
- This method provides a way to study ion homeostasis in a physiological context.
- The breakthrough supports research on diseases and fundamental cellular processes.

## Abstract

Organellar ion channels are regulators of key processes of cellular homeostasis as well as being involved in diseases including cancer, neurological disorders and virus infection. Individual organelle-level electrophysiology has until recently only been performed using isolated organelles, removing any direct physiological context. New DNA-based nanodevices — Clensor (chloride sensor), RatiNa (sodium sensor) and pHlicKer (potassium sensor), now allow imaging-based mapping of sodium and potassium levels in membranous organelles. This breakthrough paves the way for studying ion homeostasis relevant to a variety of diseases as well as fundamental processes.