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Cell finder speeds impalements with microelectrodes

  • Transport Processes, Metabolism and Endocrinology; Kidney, Gastrointestinal Tract, and Exocrine Glands
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Abstract

A simple circuit is described, which, in conjunction with an electrometer and a digitally-controlled hydraulic microdrive, automatically advances a microelectrode through the bathing solution and halts the microelectrode when a cell is impaled. The distance between initial contact with the cell membrane and cell penetration (1–5 μm for rabbit corneal epithelium) is dependent upon the physical characteristics of the cell and microelectrode, and can be optimized by empirical adjustment.

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References

  • Brown, K.T., Flaming, D.G.: New microelectrode techniques for intracellular work in small cells. Neuroscience2, 813–827 (1977).

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  • Klyce, S.D.: Electrical profiles in the corneal epithelium. J. Physiol.226, 407–429 (1972).

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  • Peters, M., Tetzel, H.D.: Piezoelectric drive for step-by-step microelectrode advancement. J. Exp. Biol.86, 333–336 (1980).

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Supported by USPHS grant EY03311 from the National Eye Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA.

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Marshall, W.S., Klyce, S.D. Cell finder speeds impalements with microelectrodes. Pflugers Arch. 391, 258–259 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00596181

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00596181

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