Development of genetically encoded fluorescent K+ probes

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Potassium ions (K+) accumulate within cells, the smallest units of life - a process, which is essential for the regulation of cellular key functions. K+ fluxes across the plasma membranes of excitable cells such as neurons, muscle- and gland cells are vital for their specific cell functions. Hence, an imbalance of the K+ homeostasis has profound implication at the cellular- and organismal level and is associated with a plethora of diseases including cardio-vascular-, neurological-, muscle-, and metabolic disorders as well as cancer. It is speculated that also within a cell K+ is unequally distributed among cellular compartments and respective intracellular K+ fluxes fundamentally contribute to cell functions and dysfunctions. Furthermore it is hypothesized that tiniest subcellular K+ signals have huge implications in cell physiology and pathology. However, our understanding in this regard is very limited due to the lack of suitable methods that allow monitoring K+ fluxes with high spatial and temporal resolution. This research project aims to develop novel fluorescent K+ biosensors that can be targeted to cellular organelles and subdomains of cells. Accordingly, the novel fluorescent probes will enable real-time recordings of local subcellular K+ signals and, thus, will allow investigating intracellular K+ fluxes to gain our understanding of the signaling role of this fundamental ion in health and diseases.