The patch clamp electrode has allowed the study of single ion channels in cells in culture. Although the technique has proven to be a powerful tool, as presently used, it has several drawbacks: Only one cell can be studied at a time and cells eventually "die" from exposure to the high salt content which fills the electrode. This research project involves replacing the present pipette-type of patch clamp electrode with one constructed using state-of-the-art microchip technology.
