Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining a patch-clamp recording from a cell, including providing a microchannel for axial flow of a liquid, providing at least one access port to allow radial access to the interior of the microchannel whereby liquid in the microchannel forms a meniscus at the port and produces an air/liquid interface, providing a patch-clamp pipette having a tip suitable for passing into the access port to form a high-resistance electrical seal between the tip and the cell, passing liquid carrying the cell axially along the microchannel, causing the cell to be carried to the access port, moving the patch-clamp pipette tip and the microchannel relative to each other radially to bring the tip into contact with the air/liquid interface in the access port, and applying suction to the patch-clamp to draw the cell onto the tip to form the seal.