Automated Patch Clamp Systems

Taken together, the limited experiments conducted using neuronal cell cultures illustrate a distinct difference in the way that pyrethroids modify ion conductance and subsequent neurotransmitter release under resting and depolarized conditions. Continued efforts utilizing recent new tools like automated patch-clamp systems and MEAs to assess the effects of pyrethroids on the kinetics and voltage-dependent gating of ion channels in primary cultures or transfected cells is likely to provide new insight into the neurotoxicity of pyrethroids [79, 82]. 

Table 3 Comparison of automated patch clamp systems... 

Automated patch clamp systems have only become available for the past few years, and their impact on ion channel drug discovery is, therefore, just beginning. Whether we are at the verge of a new golden age for ion channel drug discovery remains to be determined, but what unfolds over the coming years should be of utmost interest for ion channel drug discovery. 

In combination with methods such as fluorescence and flux assays, the new automated patch clamp electrophysiology systems have revolutionized the way in which ion channels are now screened. However, the future is not without major challenges, and important limitations of these technologies remain. 

Likewise, important issues remain with the automated patch clamp technology. There is no doubt that this approach has filled the niche between HT low information content assays, such as fluorescence and binding assays, and low throughput high quality content, such as conventional patch clamp electrophysiology assays. However, this technology comes at a tremendous price. At an approximate cost of US 400000 each, these systems are expensive... 

It is clear from the literature review that the need continues to exist for a high throughput functional toxin detection system, which could detect and identify unknown or unexpected toxic chemicals in continuous long term experiments in field conditions. Microelectrode array recordings may show some promise in some specific fields as they are relatively more rugged, simpler and cheaper to implement than automated patch clamp devices. However, in addition to international validation studies, cell type selection and automated data analysis capabilities of multiple signals will be critical. 

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