To address the throughput restrictions of classical patch clamp electrophysiology, Essen Instruments has developed a platebased electrophysiology measurement platform. The instrument is an integrated platform that consists of computer-controlled fluid handling, recording electronics, and processing tools capable of voltage clamp whole-cell recordings from thousands of individual cells per day. To establish a recording, the system uses a planar, multiwell substrate (a PatchPlate™). The system effectively positions 1 cell into a hole separating 2 fluid compartments in each well of the substrate. Voltage control and current recordings from the cell membrane are made subsequent to gaining access to the cell interior by applying a permeabilizing agent to the intracellular side. Based on the multiwell design of the PatchPlate™, voltage clamp recordings of up to 384 individual cells can be made in minutes and are comparable to measurements made using traditional electrophysiology techniques. An integrated pipetting system allows for up to 2 additions of modulation agents. Typical throughput, measurement fidelity, stability, and comparative pharmacology of a recombinant voltage-dependent sodium channel (hNav1.3) and a voltage-gated potassium channel (hKv1.5) exogenously expressed in CHO cells are presented. The IonWorks™ HT device can be used in biophysical and pharmacological profiling of ion channels in an environment compatible with high-capacity screening. (Journal of Biomolecular Screening 2003:50-64)

Modern optical screening assays demand high data throughput along with uncompromised data fidelity. FLIPR (Fluorescent Imaging Plate Reader) was developed to perform quantitative optical screening for cell-based kinetic assays. FLIPR incorporates an integrated design, including low-level optical detection, precise temperature control, and precise fluid handling, all in one package. The unique aspect of FLIPR is that all 96 wells of a standard microplate are stimulated and optically measured simultaneously. Kinetic updates on all 96 wells can be obtained in under 1 sec, allowing for transient signals to be quantified. Demonstrated applications include measurements of intracellular calcium, intracellular pH, and membrane potential.

No abstract

A laser radar system for three-dimensional (3-D) lensless imaging is analyzed in theory and experiment. 3-D imaging is accomplished by making use of the relationship between the angular and wavelength dependence of the scattered light and an object's 3-D Fourier transform. The concept is demonstrated by obtaining a 3-D image of an extended object by using a charge-coupled device detector array and an argon-ion laser with a tunable intracavity étalon.