Cellectricon Ab

Kent Jardemark

Owe Orwar

Mattias Karlsson

Johan Pihl

Jessica Olofsson

Daniel T Chiu

Jon Sinclair

Aldo Jesorka

Cecilia Farre

Eskil Sahlin

The present invention relates to methods of measuring electrical properties of a cell using electrode devices comprising tapered nanotips having submicrometer dimensions ('nanoelectrodes') for insertion into a cell. The devices are used to measure electrical properties of the cell and, optionally, may be used to electroporate, the cell or subcellular structures within the cell. The invention also provides arrays of electrode devices having nanotips for simultaneously or sequentially measuring the electrical properties of cells (e.g., such as surface immobilized cells). The electrodes can be used to measure properties of ion channels and in HTS assays to identify drugs which affect the properties of ion channels. The invention additionally provides microfluidic systems adapted for use with the electrode devices having nanotips. In combination with the electrodes, the microfluidic systems provide cell-based biosensors for monitoring cellular responses to conditions, such as exposure to candidate drugs.

Nanoelectrodes and nanotips for recording transmembrane currents in a plurality of cells

The invention provides microfluidic systems for altering the solution environment around a nanoscopic or microscopic object, such as a sensor, and methods for using the same. The invention can be applied in any sensor technology in which the sensing element needs to be exposed rapidly, sequentially, and controllably, to a large number of different solution environments whose characteristics may be known or unknown.

Systems and methods for rapidly changing the solution environment around sensors

The invention provides microfluidic systems for altering the solution environment around a nanoscopic or microscopic object, such as a sensor, and methods for using the same. The invention also provides a system and methods for modulating, controlling, preparing, and studying receptors.

Systems and method for rapidly changing the solution environment around sensors

The invention provides a system, system components, and a method for rapidly obtaining and stably maintaining a cell in optimal contact with the cell-contacting surface of a sensor in a cell-based biosensor. In one aspect, the system maximizes the seal between a whole cell and the cell-contact surface of a patch clamp micropipette, maximizing the efficiency of a whole cell patch clamp recording.

System and method for obtaining and maintaining high-resistance seals in patch clamp recordings

The invention provides a method for detection of receptor- or ion channel-modulators (e.g., antagonists, blockers, etc.). The method comprises fractionating a sample by using a liquid-based separation means (e.g., such as a capillary electrophoresis device), and feeding the fractions containing the modulators directly to a biosensor. The biosensor is activatable by a receptor agonist and produces a measurable response as a result of this activation. Preferably, the agonist is fed to the biosensor through the liquid-based separation means, together with fractions containing the modulators (e.g., antagonists or blockers). The presence of a modulator is detected by monitoring a change in the response of the biosensor, e.g., by measuring changes in electrical properties of the biosensor (such as through patch clamp analysis). In one aspect, the biosensor is periodically resensitized by delivering pulses of receptor agonist to the biosensor for short period of time which are separated by other periods when no agonist is delivered to the biosensor. The invention further provides a system for performing the method. The system facilitates sequential patch clamp recordings of cell-based biosensors.

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Gothenburg, Sweden

Kent Jardemark