MbShea@PWP@English@UMCP

A reliable patch-clamp rig is the backbone behind any electrophysiologist, regardless of skill or experience. In order to successfully conduct experiments, the setup must be robust in both its individual components and its overall organization. The instrumentation of a standard rig consists of a microscope, micromanipulator, headstage, amplifier, digitizer, and computer. These main components are all grounded and housed within a Faraday cage that rests on anti-vibration table in order to minimize electrical and mechanical disturbances. In order to record meaningful data, each of these instruments in the setup must be individually implemented and tuned correctly. These instruments must also be organized such that they work reliably together without hindering the researcher. Constructing a proper rig is the bane of many graduate students and post-doctoral researchers beginning in electrophysiology. However, there is no direct, step-by-step guide that walks through how to construct a setup. Therefore the purpose of this document will be to serve as a first draft for a set of directions in the Speer lab for building a patch-clamp rig. This guide will feature supplemental information with recommendations and avoidances that may be edited in the future. In addition, since the Speer lab is mainly focused on neuronal imaging, the document will establish preliminary information for tailoring the rig to loading brain slices with fluorescent dyes.

WC = 217

READER'S PROFILE: I imagine reader to be a novice researcher looking to get started in electrophysiology but not sure where to start.

READER'S RESPONSE: This guide could be very helpful to me as there's not a lot written, up-to-date literature on how to build a rig. The rig itself can become complicated at some points and it would be useful to see how this document addresses that. I hope there are plenty of diagrams or pictures to visualize what should be placed where. I also don't have unlimited grants so purchasing options would be much appreciated to get the most for my money. I'm not so sure how much personal expertise only an undergraduate student would have in this field so they better refer plenty of sources from other experts.

A, wonderful project on the engineering/fixit/handy person aspect of science, particularly in your field. Thank you for making visible this important work.

You might add supply lists? Create some sets for typical repair, troubleshooting, or pre-study prep. Find a place for them in the lab, with labels and inventory sheet?

Says the person who first did PCR work with binder clips, automotive glass blocks cut to custom specs, and placing them in old tube socks....