ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL MEASUREMENTS

Electrophysiological methods are a powerful technology to follow the

activity of ion channels. This methodology has evolved from the

classical measurements using two microelectrodes, to the more sensitive patch-clamp technique that only uses one electrode. Independent of the number of electrodes used, electrophysiological methods may measure both changes in ionic currents under a constant voltage, and variations of the membrane voltage at a constant current.

Furthermore, the technique allows monitoring the activity of a

population of channels expressed in a biological membrane, as well as the activity of a single channel molecule. In addition to biophysical

properties of the channel, this technology is also suitable to study ion channel modulation by drug or drug-like compounds that act directly or indirectly on the channel protein. Because of the pivotal roles played by ion channels in physiology and pathology, this technology has remarkably evolved as a sensitive strategy drug discovery platform. In this regard, the heterologous expression of ion channels, along with the highly sensitive patch clamp techniques, has been pivotal to understand the function, dysfunction and pharmacology of these membrane sensors.

We offer all methodologies related to patch-clamp on both heterologous expression systems ( Xenopus oocytes, HEK 293, COS, etc.) and primary neuronal cultures (hippocampal neurons and Dorsal Root Ganglion neurons):

-Expression of channels in Xenopus oocytes and their electrobiophysical characterization using the two-microelectrode voltage-clamp technology.
-Expression of channels in cell lines and their electrobiophysical characterization using patch-clamp technology, including whole cell and single channel measurements.
-Effect of compounds on the electrophysiological properties of ion channels expressed in recombinant systems or in primary neuronal cultures.
-Effect of compounds on the electrophysiological properties of biological membranes of primary neuronal cultures, i.e. effect on membrane resting potential, on the action potentials, and on neuronal excitability measured as the frequency of action potential firing.