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Patch Clamp

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

Updated: Dec 3, 2025

Patch Clamp Recording of Ion Channels Expressed in Xenopus Oocytes

Patch Clamp Recording of Ion Channels Expressed in Xenopus Oocytes

Published on: October 16, 2008

An Introduction to Patch Clamp Recording.

Charlotte L Hill¹, Gary J Stephens²

¹Metrion Biosciences Ltd, Cambridge, UK.

Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)

|October 29, 2020

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Patch clamp is a versatile electrophysiology technique measuring cell membrane potential and current. This method, with various configurations, aids research into excitable cells and ion channel kinetics.

Keywords:

Current clamp Electrophysiology Ion channels Patch clamp Single-channel recording Voltage clamp

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Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Dec 3, 2025

Patch Clamp Recording of Ion Channels Expressed in Xenopus Oocytes

Patch Clamp Recording of Ion Channels Expressed in Xenopus Oocytes

Published on: October 16, 2008

One-channel Cell-attached Patch-clamp Recording

One-channel Cell-attached Patch-clamp Recording

Published on: June 9, 2014

Patch Clamp Recordings on Intact Dorsal Root Ganglia from Adult Rats

Patch Clamp Recordings on Intact Dorsal Root Ganglia from Adult Rats

Published on: September 29, 2016

Area of Science:

Electrophysiology
Cell Biology
Neuroscience

Background:

Electrophysiology is crucial for understanding electrically active cells.
The patch clamp technique offers precise measurements of cellular electrical activity.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide an overview of the patch clamp technique.
To explain different patch clamp configurations and their applications in research.

Main Methods:

Direct measurement of membrane potential and/or current.
Utilizing various patch clamp configurations (e.g., whole-cell, cell-attached).
Application to native tissues and recombinant cell lines.

Main Results:

Demonstration of patch clamp versatility in studying cellular functions and dysfunctions.
Detailed explanation of setting up and applying different patch clamp configurations.
Insights into analyzing spontaneous cell firing and ion channel kinetics.

Conclusions:

Patch clamp electrophysiology is an indispensable tool for studying excitable cells.
The technique's adaptability allows for diverse research applications, from tissue to single channels.