OoClamp: an IBM-compatible software system for electrophysiologic receptor studies in Xenopus oocytes

A software system for IBM-compatible microcomputers running MS-DOS or Microsoft Windows 3.1 is described which facilitates the acquisition, analysis and storage of data from electrophysiologic studies of receptors expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. The system is designed to provide standardization of test conditions, automation of all routine functions, rapid, on-line analysis of data, and self-documentation and compact storage of data files. All system settings are optimized for use with the Xenopus expression system, but can be adapted to other large cells. An example application, expression of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in Xenopus oocytes, is described.