patchclampregistrering

Patch clamp registration is a fundamental electrophysiological technique used to study the electrical properties of individual ion channels or whole cells. The method involves forming a high-resistance seal, known as a "gigaseal," between a glass micropipette with a very fine tip and the cell membrane. This seal isolates a small patch of membrane, allowing for precise control and measurement of ion flow across it.

Once the gigaseal is established, the pipette can be manipulated to achieve different recording configurations. In the cell-attached configuration, the ion channel within the patch is studied while it remains part of the intact cell. By withdrawing the pipette, a cell-free "excised patch" can be obtained, either facing the intracellular side (inside-out) or the extracellular side (outside-out). These excised patches allow for more direct control over the ionic and chemical environment surrounding the channel. Alternatively, the entire cell can be "whole-cell" recorded by rupturing the membrane patch inside the pipette, providing access to the cell's interior.

During registration, voltage or current is applied to the pipette, and the resulting ion current flowing through the channel or cell is amplified and recorded. This allows researchers to determine parameters such as channel conductance, open probability, and ion selectivity. Patch clamp registration has been instrumental in understanding neuronal excitability, synaptic transmission, and the function of various ion channels involved in physiological and pathological processes.