Osaka University Develops Innovative Biosensor for Real-Time Tracking of Signaling Lipid PI(3,5)P2 in Live Cells using High-Throughput CLiB Assay

July 5, 2026

EurekAlert! / University of Osaka Japan

Overview

Researchers at Osaka University have developed a custom biosensor capable of sensitively and selectively tracking signaling lipids, such as PI(3,5)P2, in live cells using a high-throughput cell surface liposome binding (CLiB) assay with yeast cells and fluorescent readouts. This breakthrough addresses a major bottleneck in lipid research, offering potential for deeper understanding of membrane lipid environments in diseases like cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders. The technology is expected to open new avenues for elucidating disease mechanisms and developing novel therapeutic strategies.

In Depth

Key Findings

Researchers at Osaka University have successfully developed an innovative biosensor capable of high-sensitivity and selective real-time tracking of signaling lipids, particularly membrane lipids like PI(3,5)P2, within live cells. This was achieved through a high-throughput method called the ‘Cell Surface Liposome Binding (CLiB) assay,’ which ‘evolves’ custom biosensors using yeast cells and fluorescent readouts.

Technical/Clinical Details

The CLiB assay involves expressing specific lipid-binding domains on the surface of yeast cells and performing high-throughput evaluation of their binding to fluorescently labeled liposomes. This process efficiently screens and optimizes sensors with specific binding characteristics for the target lipid. This technology allows for the visualization of membrane lipid dynamics in live cells with high spatial and temporal resolution, a feat previously challenging. It provides a powerful tool for understanding the role of lipids in intracellular signaling pathways and how their aberrations contribute to disease. PI(3,5)P2, in particular, is known to play crucial roles in intracellular trafficking, autophagy, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Background & Context

Lipids are not only structural components of cell membranes but also play critical roles in intracellular signaling. However, their complex structures and dynamic behaviors have made real-time tracking within live cells a long-standing challenge. Traditional biochemical methods and imaging techniques have struggled to capture lipid changes in living conditions, often confining research to in vitro systems. This breakthrough from Osaka University addresses this technological gap, ushering in a new paradigm for lipid biology research.

Strategic Significance & Outlook

This innovative biosensor technology is expected to contribute to elucidating the mechanisms of various diseases linked to lipid metabolism abnormalities, such as cancer, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. By allowing detailed analysis of lipid dynamics in live cells, it could lead to the identification of new therapeutic targets for these diseases and serve as an evaluation tool in drug screening. Future prospects include developing sensors for a broader range of lipid molecules and expanding applications to in vivo studies using disease model animals.

Source: https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1134128

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