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Patch Clamp

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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.
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Updated: Sep 28, 2025

Methods for Cell-attached Capacitance Measurements in Mouse Adrenal Chromaffin Cell

Methods for Cell-attached Capacitance Measurements in Mouse Adrenal Chromaffin Cell

Published on: October 22, 2014

A dynamic clamp protocol to artificially modify cell capacitance.

Paul Pfeiffer^1,2, Federico José Barreda Tomás^2,3, Jiameng Wu^2,4

¹Institute for Theoretical Biology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.

|April 1, 2022

Summary

Capacitance clamp is a new technique enabling researchers to experimentally control neuronal capacitance. This method allows for novel investigations into neuronal signaling mechanisms previously inaccessible to electrophysiology.

Keywords:

closed-loop feedback dynamic clamp membrane capacitance neuronal morphology neuroscience rat single neuron dynamics

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Implementing Dynamic Clamp with Synaptic and Artificial Conductances in Mouse Retinal Ganglion Cells

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Published on: May 16, 2013

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Computational Biology
Electrophysiology

Background:

Neuronal excitability and network dynamics are governed by the membrane time constant, influenced by resistance and capacitance.
Experimental manipulation of ionic conductances is common, but controlling membrane capacitance is challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

To introduce and validate the capacitance clamp technique for modulating neuronal capacitance.
To enable new experimental approaches for studying neuronal signaling.

Main Methods:

Developed the capacitance clamp by applying the dynamic clamp technique unconventionally.
Validated the method in a mathematical neuron model.
Confirmed functionality in in vitro experiments on rodent dentate gyrus granule cells.

Main Results:

Successfully demonstrated quantitative capacitance modulation in a mathematical model.
Achieved up to threefold virtual capacitance changes in biological neurons.
Showcased the feasibility of the capacitance clamp technique.

Conclusions:

Capacitance clamp offers a novel experimental tool for electrophysiology.
This technique allows unprecedented probing of neuronal signaling mechanisms.
Facilitates deciphering the role of capacitance in neuronal function.