Sumita Ray

Title: Innovative Contributions by Sumita Ray in the Field of Electrophysiology

Introduction

Sumita Ray, an accomplished inventor based in San Diego, CA, has made significant strides in the realm of electrophysiological assays. With a total of five patents to her name, Ray's innovative work focuses on the human epithelial sodium channel (hENaC), which plays a crucial role in the sensation of salty taste. Her latest discoveries have the potential to enhance scientific understanding and applications related to taste perception and sodium channels.

Latest Patents

Ray's most recent patents involve groundbreaking methodologies in electrophysiological assays that utilize oocytes expressing human ENaC. One particular patent outlines a mammalian cell-based high-throughput assay for profiling and screening hENaC. This system utilizes a human kidney c-DNA library and is also applicable to other tissues, including human taste tissue. Furthermore, her work details amphibian oocyte-based medium-throughput assays designed to identify modulators of the human ENaC, particularly enhancers. These innovative assays not only facilitate the screening of compounds that modulate ENaC function but also provide robust results using standard culture plates.

The inclusion of Phenamil, an amiloride derivative, enhances the efficacy of these assays, thereby improving the identification of compounds that influence salty taste perceptions in humans. This research offers significant advancements over existing cellular expression systems and positions Ray as a leader in this scientific niche.

Career Highlights

Sumita Ray is currently employed at Senomyx, Inc., where she continues to advance her research in the modulation of sodium channels and their role in taste. With a keen focus on innovative technologies that improve the efficiency of scientific assays, Ray has positioned herself at the forefront of her field, combining academic rigor with practical applications.

Collaborations

Throughout her career, Ray has collaborated with notable colleagues, including Guy Servant and Hong Chang. These partnerships further enhance her research capabilities, combining diverse skill sets to yield innovative solutions in the realm of electrophysiology and taste perception.

Conclusion

Sumita Ray's contributions to electrophysiological assays and her innovative applications of human ENaC research mark her as a distinguished inventor within the scientific community. Her work not only furthers the understanding of taste mechanisms but also paves the way for new avenues in therapeutic development related to sodium channels. With her continued research at Senomyx, Inc., the impact of her inventions is likely to reach new heights, solidifying her legacy as a pioneering inventor in her field.