Fundamentals of In Vitro Whole-Cell Patch-Clamp Electrophysiology
Mentor 1
James Moyer
Start Date
10-5-2022 10:00 AM
Description
Electrophysiology is the study of electrical phenomena in biological systems, from ion channels to neural pathways. A fundamental component of Electrophysiology, the Neuron, is like a battery which contains a charge. When a neuron fires, known as an action potential, this may excite or inhibit the subsequent neurons in a circuit. In the 1970s, techniques such as Whole Cell Patch Clamp were developed to uncover empiric data on the current, voltage, and resistance exhibited by neurons; all of which provide insight into structure and function of region dependent neuronal subtypes and firing properties. The specifics of this technique involve using a pipette containing both internal solution and an electrode to measure the electrical potential difference between the cell membrane and internal/external of a single neuron. Obtaining a Gigaohm seal, ionic composition of internal solution when conducting an experiment, as well as, intrinsic and plastic firing properties of neurons are all discussed below. After spending the last year learning and helping in the Moyer Lab, I have become proficient in Whole Cell Patch Clamp Electrophysiology, Brain Slicing, Reconstruction, and operating the P-Clamp analysis software. The next step involves learning how to conduct an electrophysiological experiment where I design the experiment, collect the data and analyze the results.
Fundamentals of In Vitro Whole-Cell Patch-Clamp Electrophysiology
Electrophysiology is the study of electrical phenomena in biological systems, from ion channels to neural pathways. A fundamental component of Electrophysiology, the Neuron, is like a battery which contains a charge. When a neuron fires, known as an action potential, this may excite or inhibit the subsequent neurons in a circuit. In the 1970s, techniques such as Whole Cell Patch Clamp were developed to uncover empiric data on the current, voltage, and resistance exhibited by neurons; all of which provide insight into structure and function of region dependent neuronal subtypes and firing properties. The specifics of this technique involve using a pipette containing both internal solution and an electrode to measure the electrical potential difference between the cell membrane and internal/external of a single neuron. Obtaining a Gigaohm seal, ionic composition of internal solution when conducting an experiment, as well as, intrinsic and plastic firing properties of neurons are all discussed below. After spending the last year learning and helping in the Moyer Lab, I have become proficient in Whole Cell Patch Clamp Electrophysiology, Brain Slicing, Reconstruction, and operating the P-Clamp analysis software. The next step involves learning how to conduct an electrophysiological experiment where I design the experiment, collect the data and analyze the results.
