The patch clamp technique is an electrophysiological technique that enables to study the electrical properties of living cells. This method allows to record the ionic currents flowing across the cell membrane (measured in voltage clamp configuration) or changes in membrane potential (voltage, measured in current clamp configuration).
The electrophysiology rig is optimized for simultaneous patch clamp recordings from multiple neurons (1-4) in slices of brain tissue. Recording multiple cells simultaneously improves the yield of the experiment as well as enables to study properties of communication between cells (synaptic transmission). The rig is equipped with an upright microscope to ensure that suitable cells can be identified and targeted under visual control. Acquisition of electrophysiological data is obtained through a HEKA EPC 10 USB Quadro amplifier, which allows to independently control and record activity from up to four cells simultaneously. The patch clamp rig is further equipped with a laser system containing three different wavelength lasers (375 nm, 473 nm and 594 nm), which enables to combine patch clamp electrophysiological recordings with various optical stimulation techniques. In such experiments, cellular activity can be manipulated by using light-sensitive ligands such as caged neurotransmitters or light-gated ion channels.
Please note: Participating during animal experiments requires that the following conditions are met:
- People need to have completed the education and training in laboratory animal science as required by the national competent authority (The Norwegian Food Safety Authorities) equivalent to, at minimum, function (a) (persons who perform procedures on animals) according to the EU commission’s framework document for education and training. The local person responsible for animal care will need to evaluate the documents/certificates of the completed education and training.
- The experiments must be approved by the Food Safety Authorities, and the local animal welfare body must be oriented about the experiment in advance. The animal welfare body can set conditions for the experiment, based on local routines and guidelines
- People participating in the experiment must have been introduced to local routines regarding, for instance, health and safety, and use of the animal facility
- People must have been trained in the correct use of the equipment
