Bioanalytical Systems, Inc. Awards Raturn Systems For Optogenetic Research

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bioanalytical Systems, Inc. (BASi) (NASDAQ:BASI) today announced it is awarding three BASi Raturn^® Swivel-Free Sampling Systems to researchers who will integrate in vivo optogenetics techniques with data collection techniques. These related data collection techniques include microdialysis, biosensor detection, electrophysiological measurements, and behavioral readouts. Upon extensive review of the grant proposals, BASi determined the recipients based on their groundbreaking and forward-thinking approach to integrate BASi’s Raturn^® and expand the possibilities of collecting multiple data streams from a single animal. The recipients are: Robert Gross Laboratory at Emory University, David Holtzman Laboratory at Washington University School of Medicine and Michael Fanselow and Kate Wassum Laboratories at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Interest has eagerly grown among Neuropharmacologists to integrate optogenetics with in vivo Neurochemistry, including microdialysis. Srini Jayaraman, Ph.D., Principle Investigator for BASi’s Drug Discovery Services, stated, “Optogenetics is a neuroscience technique that utilizes light optics to modulate real-time response within a specific group of cells – typically, neurons. This neuromodulation is driven by optical fibers skillfully implanted within a specific brain region, which are used to elicit both electrical and chemical responses. In order to fully quantify these reactions, researchers need the ability to simultaneously capture multiple streams of data.”

Currently, optogenetic techniques are used regularly to harvest information for basic and pharmaceutical research with the use of an electrical commutator. However, the data necessary to formulate a fully integrative response profile using this traditional technique is limited due to the inability of an electrical commutator to facilitate collection of bio fluids. This incompatibility is the result of physical limitations when attaching more than one connection to an awake, freely-moving animal, which causes twisting and damage to the animal and equipment. Commutators can facilitate multiple electrical connections, such as optogenetics fibers and ECG/EKG, to an awake animal using a pivot point where all electrical lines converge. In contrast, liquid swivels function to connect multiple bio fluid lines, such as microdialysis and blood sampling, to an awake animal using a pivot point where all fluid lines meet. BASi’s Raturn^® replaces electrical commutator and liquid swivels. The BASi Raturn is the only option for combining electrical lines with bio fluid sampling. BASi, with a strong foundation in the development, use and provision of products in Neuropharmacology and in vivo sampling, is proud to offer a groundbreaking, innovative solution for researchers to simultaneously capture the necessary electrical and neurochemical data for a full response profile in awake animals.

The BASi Raturn® system uses a proprietary movement-response mechanism designed to facilitate multiple data collection connections, whether electrical or fluid, to a fully conscious, freely-moving animal. Researchers also have the opportunity to simultaneously collect neurochemistry measurements with BASi’s Culex™ Automated Blood Sampling system. This innovative approach combining in-vivo optogenetics with the BASi Raturn® will produce a fully integrative data profile, optimal for investigators to customize the type of information they need and fully understand pharmacological response. Exploring the actual neurotransmitter and other biomarker release quantitatively will provide better insights into understanding the brain circuitry, behavior, disease process and drug targets.

Dr. Jayaraman concluded, “BASi is devoted to fostering engagement and collaboration in the life sciences community as part of our commitment to encourage innovation in drug discovery. We are honored to partner with these renowned laboratories and award the BASi Raturn^® Sampling Systems. This innovative combination technique of optogenetics with the BASi Raturn^® Sampling Systems is the first step of many in advancing neuroscience research and BASi is proud to be at the forefront.”

About Bioanalytical Systems, Inc.

BASi is a pharmaceutical development company providing contract research services and monitoring instruments to the world’s leading drug development companies and medical research organizations. BASi focuses on developing innovative services and products that increase efficiency and reduce the cost of taking new drugs to market. Visit www.BASinc.com for more information about BASi. Please contact Srini Jayaraman or Shelly Carballo to find out more.