Abstract: The present invention relates to a high through-put system for determining and/or monitoring electrophysiological properties of ion channels of ion channel-containing membranes, typically lipid membrane-containing structures such as cells. In particular, the invention provides a substrate which provides means for automatically positioning cells at measuring sites using electroosmotic flow in canals formed on or in the substrate. The electroosmotic flow is generated and controlled by electroosmotic flow pumps integrated on the substrate or positioned in relation thereto. Thereby, cells can be positioned in favorable measurement configuration at a plurality of sites for performing testing and measurements. Also, the invention relates to a main electric circuit for performing testing and measurements on a plurality of cells in parallel.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 2, 2001
Date of Patent:
August 23, 2005
Assignee:
Sophion Bioscience A/S
Inventors:
Morten Bech, Jørgen Due, Lars Thomsen, Jonatan Kutchinsky, Rafael Taboryski, Bent Erling Nielsen, John Shaw, John Dodgson
Abstract: The present invention relates to a substrate and a method for obtaining an electrophysiological measuring configuration in which a cell forms a high resistive seal (giga-seal) around a measuring electrode making it suitable for determining and monitoring a current flow through the cell membrane. The substrate is typically part of an apparatus for studying electrical events in cell membranes, such as an apparatus for carrying out patch clamp techniques utilised to study ion transfer channels in biological membranes. The substrate has a plurality or an array of measuring sites with integrated measuring and reference electrodes formed by wafer processing technology. The electrodes are adapted to conduct a current between them by delivery of ions by one electrode and receipt of ions by the other electrode and are typically silver/silver halide electrodes.
Type:
Application
Filed:
October 23, 2003
Publication date:
March 25, 2004
Applicant:
Sophion Bioscience A/S
Inventors:
Jon Wulff Petersen, Pieter Telleman, Ole Hansen, Palle Christophersen, Morten Bech, Soren Peter Olesen, Jorgen Due, Lars Thomsen
Abstract: The present invention relates to a substrate and a method for obtaining an electrophysiological measuring configuration in which a cell forms a high resistive seal (giga-seal) around a measuring electrode making it suitable for determining and monitoring a current flow through the cell membrane. The substrate is typically part of an apparatus for studying electrical events in cell membranes, such as an apparatus for carrying out patch clamp techniques utilised to study ion transfer channels in biological membranes. The substrate has a plurality or an array of measuring sites with integrated measuring and reference electrodes formed by wafer processing technology. The electrodes are adapted to conduct a current between them by delivery of ions by one electrode and receipt of ions by the other electrode and are typically silver/silver halide electrodes.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
October 2, 2000
Date of Patent:
January 27, 2004
Assignee:
Sophion Bioscience A/S
Inventors:
Jon Wulff Petersen, Pieter Telleman, Ole Hansen, Palle Christophersen, Morten Bech, Soren Peter Olesen, Jorgen Due, Lars Thomsen
Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic electrode position apparatus for connecting an electrode to a cell. The invention further provides methods for utilizing the apparatus of the invention. Apparatus and methods are described for studying electrical activities in cell membranes. These methods are especially useful in large scale screening programs in the pharmaceutical industry.