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Related Concept Videos

Patch Clamp01:18

Patch Clamp

Many fundamental cell functions such as muscle contraction and nerve transmission rely on the electrical signals produced by the movement of positively and negatively charged ions across the cell membrane. One competent method to record current flowing across the whole cell or single ion channel is the patch-clamp technique.
In this method, a glass micropipette containing electrolyte solution is tightly sealed against a small portion of the cell membrane. As a result, a patch of the cell...

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Related Experiment Video

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Patch Clamp and Perfusion Techniques for Studying Ion Channels Expressed in Xenopus oocytes
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Published on: January 10, 2011

Patch clamp methods for studying calcium channels.

David L Armstrong1, Christian Erxleben, Jody A White

  • 1Membrane Signaling Group Laboratory of Neurobiology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, NIH, Durham, North Carolina, USA.

Methods in Cell Biology
|November 2, 2010
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The patch clamp technique allows precise measurement of ion channel activity in cells. This method provides detailed insights into calcium channel function and regulation in real-time.

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 7, 2026

Patch Clamp and Perfusion Techniques for Studying Ion Channels Expressed in Xenopus oocytes
10:19

Patch Clamp and Perfusion Techniques for Studying Ion Channels Expressed in Xenopus oocytes

Published on: January 10, 2011

One-channel Cell-attached Patch-clamp Recording
13:07

One-channel Cell-attached Patch-clamp Recording

Published on: June 9, 2014

Isolation of Human Atrial Myocytes for Simultaneous Measurements of Ca2+ Transients and Membrane Currents
10:53

Isolation of Human Atrial Myocytes for Simultaneous Measurements of Ca2+ Transients and Membrane Currents

Published on: July 3, 2013

Area of Science:

  • Electrophysiology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • The patch clamp technique, developed in 1981, revolutionized the study of ion channels.
  • It enables the recording of ion channel activity across various mammalian cell types.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the capabilities of the patch clamp technique for studying ion channel function.
  • To emphasize its precision in measuring ion channel gating, particularly for calcium channels.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing the patch clamp technique with polished glass pipettes to form giga-ohm seals with cell membranes.
  • Employing cell-attached patches to record individual channel activity.
  • Using antibiotics to permeabilize the membrane for whole-cell voltage clamping.

Main Results:

  • Reliable measurement of small (0.5pA) and brief (0.5ms) current transients.
  • Observation of individual channel proteins opening and closing in real-time.
  • Accurate measurement of integrated calcium channel activity in the entire cell membrane.

Conclusions:

  • The patch clamp technique offers an unparalleled view of ion channel function and regulation.
  • It is crucial for understanding calcium channel gating dynamics.
  • The technique allows for detailed electrophysiological studies on intact cells.