Apparatus and method for electrically contacting biological cells suspended in a liquid

An apparatus for electrically contacting biological cells suspended in a liquid, said apparatus comprising:

• a substrate having at least one opening,
• a means for immobilizing a cell having a cell membrane on said opening,
• a contact unit being arranged at the opening and comprising a contact tip, and
• at least one electrode for electrically contacting the cell when it is immobilized on said opening,
• wherein the contact tip comprises a top end projecting into said opening in such a way that said contact tip comes to bear against the cell membrane when the cell is immobilized on said opening, and further comprises a contact channel which opens at the top end in such a way that a first hydrodynamic low pressure can be exerted upon the cell membrane, and
• wherein the electrode is connected with said contact channel.

A method for electrically contacting biological cells suspended in a liquid, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a substrate having an opening,
• providing a contact tip projecting through said opening, said contact tip comprising a contact channel
• providing at least one electrode within said contact channel,
• immobilizing a cell having a cell membrane above the opening and above the contact tip, and
• contacting the cell,
• wherein the step of contacting the cell includes a step of exerting a first hydrodynamic low pressure upon the cell membrane through the contact channel, and a step of electrically contacting the cell through the contact tip with the electrode.