Scientists Empowering Scientists: Patch Clamp Equipment for the Twenty-First Century

A contemporary patch clamp setup consists of a number of components assembled around a microscope and an amplifier system. The first speaker, Telly Galiatsatos from Sutter Instrument, will introduce the components needed for a functional basic patch clamp rig and cover select configurations for more demanding applications.

Jonathan Ashmore from University College London will talk about his evaluation of the Sutter flagship dPatch® Amplifier System. The Lock-In Amplifier feature enabled groundbreaking experiments with cochlear outer hair cells. The dPatch Amplifier System provides a tenfold increase in analog bandwidth, while delivering noise performance that is close to the limit of what is physically possible. Both properties that fulfill the high demands of auditory research.

Jan Dolzer from Sutter Instrument will demonstrate sophisticated experimental approaches using the Dynamic Clamp module that comes standard with the dPatch System and the included SutterPatch® Data Acquisition, Management and Analysis Software. Dynamic clamp, also known as conductance clamp, lets the experimenter mimic synaptic input to a cell, as well as activation, inactivation, or modulation of a particular ion channel, or set of channels. The digital architecture of the dPatch System constitutes a technology shift that enables dynamic clamp capability without the need for pricey and/or cumbersome external components.