Patch clamp is a technique used to measure the ionic currents of cells. Traditionally, patch clamp experiments have been performed manually using a single, hollow electrode that is brought into contact with the cellular membrane. Using gentle suction, a tight seal is made between the cell membrane and the electrode, which allows researchers to record the current across the cell’s membrane.

Automated patch clamp systems automates this process. Over the past few years, various breakthroughs in automating patch clamp have increased the throughput. The current automated patch clamp systems on the market have capabilities ranging from eight simultaneous recordings to 384. Because there are numerous drugs that specifically target the ion channels, drug target verification is among the most popular and dynamic applications for high-throughput automated patch clamp systems. The high-throughput capabilities of these systems also enable scientists to screen thousands of compounds per day against such targets, expediting the task of drug discovery and optimization.

There are only a handful of vendors that manufacture automated patch clamp systems. Molecular Devices, a subsidiary of Danaher, offers several systems. Its IonWorks system, the first automated patch clamp system, was introduced in early 2000. Molecular Devices also manufactures the IonWorks Barracuda, PatchXpress 7000A and IonWorks Quattro. The IonWorks Barracuda is the company’s latest addition. It can simultaneously process an entire 384-well plate in about 20 minutes and record up to 6,000 data points per hour. Sophion, which was acquired by Biolin in 2011 (see IBO 7/15/11), manufactures the QPatch and Qube automated systems. QPatch comes in 8, 16, and HT models capable of 8, 16 or 48 simultaneous patch clamp recordings, respectively. The Cube, the company’s latest high-throughput system, can perform 384 simultaneous recordings.

Nanion and Aurora Biomed are two other automated patch clamp manufacturers. Nanion makes the Patchliner and SyncroPatch 96 systems, which have capabilities of 48 and 96 simultaneous recordings, respectively. Aurora Biomed manufactures the ICR 8000 and 12000 Ion Channel Readers. The 8000 model can analyze up to 5,000 wells per day, while the 12000 model accommodates 96- or 384-well microplates and can record up to 60,000 wells per day. Other vendors include Cellectricon and Flyion.

The market for automated patch clamp systems totaled more than $30 million in 2011. It is expected to post an average annual growth of nearly 10% for the next few years, driven by drug discovery and development applications. While these automated platforms are predominantly used in pharmaceutical and biotechnology, the low- and medium-throughput systems are becoming popular with academic and clinical/diagnostic labs, further contributing to market growth.

Automated Patch Clamp Systems at a Glance:

Leading Suppliers

• Molecular Devices (Danaher)

• Sophion (Biolin)

• Aurora Biomed

Largest Markets

• Pharmaceutical

• Biotechnology

• Academia

Instrument Cost

• $85,000–$600,000