The ***** Clamp technique, for which Erwin Neher and Bert Sakmann won the 1991 **bel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, has provided a great deal insight into the electrophysiological*processes happening on the cellular level by monitoring ion channel activity. **w a team of researchers have Combined a ***** Clamp with what is essentially an Atomic Force Microscope to be able to **w Study Beating cardiac*cells.
The Tech**logy relies on a special force-controlled na**pipette that was modeled on microchanneled cantilevers used in Atomic Force microscopes.
First, the compatibility of the system with *****-clamp electronics and its ability to record the activity of voltage-gated ion channels in whole-cell configuration was demonstrated with sodium (NaV1.5) channels. Second, we showed the feasibility of simultaneous recording of membrane current and Force development during contraction of isolated cardiomyocytes. Force feedback allowed for a gentle and stable contact between AFM tip and cell membrane enabling ****** ***** clamping and injection without apparent cell damage.