Student stories
Tools:

A toolbox of ligands to study
Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs)

Patchliner
Port-a-PatchDr. Elena Budusan
featured by Nanion Technologies
Elena Budusan completed her PhD at theelectrophysiology and ion channel research. I was fortunate

University of Queensland, Australia studying

to have a supportive PhD supervisor who encouraged me

ASIC channels and modulators. During

to pursue an industry placement. With his connections toher PhD, Elena spent 2 months at Nanion’sNanion, he arranged a meeting with Ali and me. A couple

headquarters in Munich using the Port-a-of months later, I found myself in Munich, working on thePatch and Patchliner to study ligand-gatedPatchliner and the Port-a-Patch.”

ion channels in cell lines. After completing her
PhD, Elena started a post doctoral research

What was your project at Nanion?

position at the University of Lausanne,
Switzerland and still focuses on ASICs.

“During my time at Nanion, I focused on validating different
cell lines and channel types on both platforms, the Patchliner

Can you give us a brief summary of your PhD?
“My PhD project focused on Acid-sensing ion channels(ASICs), crucial sensors for extracellular protons withimplications in various physiological and acidosis-related
pathological conditions. This makes ASICs a promising new
therapeutic target in health and disease for new drug
development. During my PhD, I studied ASIC modulating
ligands, particularly peptides derived from venomous
animals like snakes, funnel-webs, and tarantula spiders.
Using two-electrode voltage clamp (TEVC) and automatedpatch clamp (APC) techniques, I characterized thepharmacological properties of these peptides. Overall,
my work expanded the ‘toolbox’ of ligands to study theseinteresting ion channels, laying the groundwork for further
exploration into their mechanism of action, evolutionary
significance of these peptides, and their potential
therapeutic applications.”
What brought you to Nanion?
“I was interested in learning more about opportunities
beyond academia, especially in the field ofNanion User Meeting 2022
Elena enjoyed meeting users and interactingwith colleagues at the 2022 NUM at Nanion’s
headquarters in Munich.

and the Port-a-Patch. Specifically, I studied the activationand inhibition of P2X2/3 and P2X3 receptors stably expressed inCHO cells on the Patchliner. In a second project, I compared
the efficiency of the Patchliner to the Port-a-Patch whenrecording from Neuro2A cells, which endogenously express
ASICs, different voltage-gated sodium channels, and P2X7

receptors. I used different activators and inhibitors of theseion channels to show their expression in Neuro2A cells.”

“There wasn’t a single ‘best moment’; rather, there were many
great moments that I cherished during my time at Nanion.”
Dr. Elena Budusan, University of LausanneWas your project work at Nanion related to your PhD?

peptide in a cell line that endogenously expresses ASICs,
complementing my previous findings obtained through TEVC

“Although it wasn’t initially planned to be part of my PhD

in Xenopus Laevis oocytes.”project, after observing ASIC currents expressed in Neuro2A
cells, I couldn’t resist testing some of my ASIC ligands on

What was your best moment during your time at Nanion?

them. The results obtained on the Patchliner contributed
to a research article that we just recently published (The

“There wasn’t a single ‘best moment’, rather, there were

funnel-web spider venom derived single knot peptide Hc3amany great moments that I cherished during my time atmodulates acid-sensing ion channel 1a desensitisation).”

Nanion. These included receiving support and help using
the APC instruments, obtaining the first good recordings on

Did your project at Nanion accelerate your PhD project?

the Patchliner and Port-a-Patch, enjoying coffee breaks
with colleagues who became friends, and participating in“Absolutely, it did. Using the Patchliner to study ASIC currents

networking events such as the Nanion User meeting. Overall, Iin Neuro2A cells, I was able to quickly and effectively

thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of my experience there.

validate my results for one of my spider peptides. Thisapproach allowed me to confirm the activity of this particular

ASIC1a recorded from Neuro2A cells and effect of Hc3a.
Elena used some of her time at Nanion to investigate theeffect of the spider peptide Hc3a on ASIC1a recorded fromNeuro2A cells. Elena gathered enough data for posters
presented at the 2022 and 2023 Society for Neuroscience
Annual meetings, and contributed to a publication in
Biochemical Pharmacology, complementing her previous
work using Xenopus laevis oocytes.

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