System for rapid chemical activation in high-throughput electrophysiological measurements

An electrophysiological measurement apparatus for analyzing a biological material, comprising:

• a multi-well plate having a plurality of fluid chambers, wherein each fluid chamber is configured to hold a biological material to be analyzed;
• a thin substrate having an array of apertures in alignment with the chambers of the multi-well plate;
• wherein the substrate is bonded to the multi-well plate such that the chambers are open at the top and sealed at the bottom, except for the apertures;
• and
• wherein the apertures are smaller in diameter than the biological material, thereby enabling a high-resistance seal to be formed between a biological material present in each chamber and a corresponding aperture;
• a fluid plenum to receive the multi-well plate such that at least the substrate is immersed;
• a first electrode disposed in the fluid plenum;
• at least one second electrode adapted to fit into the top openings of the fluid chambers of the multi-well plate;
• a light source for illuminating one or more of the chambers so as to facilitate the rapid release of a caged compound present therein;
• electrophysiological measurement circuitry in electrical communication with the electrodes;
• and
• a mechanism for moving the at least one second electrode into the chambers of the multi-well plate, so as to automate the measurement of the material contained therein.

An electrophysiological measurement apparatus, comprising:

• a first fluid chamber, configured to contain a cell or membrane to be measured;
• a second fluid chamber;
• a thin plastic substrate separating the two chambers, the substrate having an aperture formed therethrough which is smaller in diameter than the cell or membrane, thereby enabling a high-resistance seal to be formed between the cell or membrane and the substrate, the substrate further having a glass coating at least in the region where the high-resistance seal is formed between the biological material and the substrate;
• a light source for illuminating one or more of the chambers so as to facilitate the rapid release of a caged compound present therein;
• an electrode disposed in each of the fluid chambers;
• and
• electrophysiological measurement circuitry in electrical communication with the electrodes.

An electrophysiological measurement apparatus, comprising:

• a first fluid chamber, configured to contain a cell or membrane to be measured;
• a second fluid chamber;
• a thin substrate separating the two chambers, the substrate having an aperture formed therethrough which is smaller in diameter than the cell or membrane, thereby enabling a high-resistance seal to be formed between the cell or membrane and the substrate;
• a light source for illuminating one or more of the chambers so as to facilitate the rapid release of a caged compound present therein;
• an electrode disposed in each of the fluid chambers;
• electrophysiological measurement circuitry in electrical communication with the electrodes;
• and
• a mechanism for moving at least one of the electrodes into a corresponding at least one of the fluid chambers, so as to automate the measurement of the material contained therein.