Advancing Neuroscience with Genetically Encoded Biosensors and Human iPSC Models

Genetically encoded biosensors, coupled with live imaging techniques, have revolutionized our ability to observe dynamic cellular processes with unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution. These powerful tools enable real-time monitoring of critical biochemical events, such as neurotransmitter release, calcium signaling, membrane potential changes, and intracellular cascades, directly within living cells. The advent of human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology has further amplified the impact of these biosensors by providing physiologically relevant human models, including neurons, glia, and complex organoids. This synergistic combination allows for the investigation of fundamental neurobiological questions and the elucidation of disease mechanisms in a human-specific context, paving the way for more accurate modeling of neurological disorders and the development of targeted therapies with clear relevance to patient care.

This Research Topic aims to compile cutting-edge research and comprehensive reviews that showcase the transformative applications of genetically encoded biosensors and live imaging in human iPSC-derived neurological models, explicitly bridging laboratory discoveries with clinical research. Our primary goal is to highlight innovative methodologies and significant discoveries that leverage these technologies to advance our understanding of brain development, function, and disease, and to illustrate why and how these mechanistic insights can inform diagnostics, biomarkers, and therapeutic strategies. We seek to foster the exchange of knowledge among researchers and clinicians, promoting new collaborations and accelerating progress in neuroscience through bidirectional translation, using clinical observations to refine experimental models and, in turn, applying mechanistic findings to improve clinical decision-making and outcomes. By curating a collection of high-quality, impactful studies, this issue will serve as a valuable resource for the scientific and clinical communities, inspiring future research directions and ultimately contributing to improved patient care.

This Research Topic broadly invites contributions on the development and application of genetically encoded biosensors and live imaging techniques within human iPSC-derived neural models. Specific themes include but are not limited to:

• Pathological mechanisms in iPSC models of neurological diseases, with benchmarking to clinical measures where appropriate (e.g., EEG/MEG, MRI/PET, CSF/plasma biomarkers) or alignment with electrophysiology/MEA

• Comparative studies that relate human iPSC-derived findings to animal models to inform translation

• Drug Discovery and High-Throughput Screening Utilizing Genetically Encoded Biosensors in Human iPSC Models, with Attention to Translational Endpoints and Clinical Applicability

• Optical Approaches to Investigate Synaptic Function: iGluSnFR and pHluorin Imaging in Human iPSC-Derived Neurons and Patient-Derived Models

This Research Topic welcomes various article types, including Original Research, Reviews, Methods, Protocols, and Perspective articles. All submissions should adhere to the journal’s guidelines.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• FAIR² DATA Direct Submission
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: genetically encoded biosensors, live imaging, iPSC-derived neurons, organoids, neurophysiology

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.