Patch Clamp Technology

The patch-clamp technique is a powerful technichnique to study electrophysiological properties of biological membranes. It allows for recording of macroscopic whole-cell and microscopic single-channel currents flowing through ion channels. Central to the patch-clamp technique is the patch-clamp pipette. It is a thin glass tube, which is pulled out to a width of only some micrometers. It is filled with electrolyte solution, into which a Ag/AgCl electrode is immersed. When the patch-clamp pipette is brought into close contact to the cell membrane, a tight connection between the pipette and the cell membrane forms. The seal can be enhanced by applying suction to the pipette, so that the resistance to the bath solution exceeds several GΩ.