Dresden 2017 – scientific programme
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BP: Fachverband Biologische Physik
BP 42: Neurosciences
BP 42.7: Talk
Wednesday, March 22, 2017, 17:00–17:15, ZEU 250
Patch Clamping of T cells and Neurons on Nanowire Substrates — •Jann Harberts1, Aune Koitmäe1, Gabriele Loers2, Carsten Ronning3, Heiner Linke4, and Robert H. Blick1,5 — 1Institute of Nanostructures and Solid State Physics (INF), Hamburg — 2Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg (ZMNH) — 3Institute for Solid State Physics, University of Jena — 4Solid State Physics, Lund University, Sweden — 5Center for Hybrid Nanostructures (CHyN), Hamburg
Nano- and micro-structured substrates achieved an increasing amount of interest in cell biology during the recent years. Chemical and physical properties of culturing substrates have a significant influence on adhesion and viability of overgrowing cells. For instance, substrates with vertically aligned nanowires (NWs) can control the outgrowth of cells depending on diameter, length and density.
Typically, such experimental studies are analyzed with staining techniques in fluorescent microscopes. For quantitative measurements of cell characteristics, such as gating properties of ion channels, a more precise method—the patch clamp technique—is required. This technique facilitates the exact measurement of currents and voltages at the cell membrane. A potential disadvantge is the mechanical pressure on the cell during the measurement procedure, which could damage the cell, especially on NW substrates. However, conventional patch clamp setups are not designed for patch clamping on opaque substrates. We present a modified setup which meets this requirement and show successful measurements of T cells and neurons settled on NW substrates.