Perfusion system and apparatus for automated multi-channel patch-clamp recordings utilizing inside-out whole-cell configuration

A method of conducting high throughput patch clamp measurements comprising:

• placing a plurality of pipettes in a pipette holder located on a moveable platform that comprises at least a first multi-well compound plate and a second multi-well compound plate, each plate comprising a plurality of wells, and said plurality of wells containing one or more test compounds, control substances or washing solutions;
• affixing a cell to each said pipette;
• moving the moveable platform so that the pipette holder is aligned with a pipette fixture to stably attach the pipettes to the pipette fixture;
• thereafter establishing a plurality of patch clamp configurations in each pipette comprising each cell sealed to each pipette;
• relatively moving the moveable platform to align the pipette fixture and the first multi-well compound plate comprising a plurality of wells so that each cell sealed to a pipette is inside one well of the plurality of wells;
• and measuring at least one electrical property of at least one said cell of said plurality of patch clamp configurations;
• removing the cells from the first multi-well compound plate by relatively moving the pipette fixture the moveable platform;
• and
• inserting the cells into at least the second multi-well compound plate by relatively moving the pipette fixture and the moveable platform, and measuring at least one electrical property of at least one said cell of said plurality of patch clamp configurations.