Abstract: A method and apparatus are for automated patch clamp analysis on a plurality of biological cells clamped in respective patch-clamp wells. At least one of the cells is placed in voltage-clamp mode by applying a respective, defined voltage thereto. The voltage may be the same for all cells. A value of a parameter associated with the voltage-clamp mode is determined while the at least one cell is in voltage-clamp mode, and a shift from voltage-clamp mode to current-clamp mode is performed. A defined current is applied to the cell in the current-clamp mode. The defined current may be set individually for each cell. The shift from voltage-clamp mode to current-clamp mode and/or a property of the current-clamp mode is controlled on the basis of the value of the parameter, determined while the cell was in voltage-clamp mode.