Method and apparatus for patch-clamp measurements on cells

Method for measurements on cells or similar structures with the patch-clamp technique, comprising:

• introducing at least one cell having a outer diameter below 100 μm into the inner lumen of a capillary having openings and a capillary taper, said capillary taper ending in an opening and having at least at one position having an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of said cell, wherein the capillary has a clean inner surface at least in said capillary taper, and wherein the inner diameter of said capillary taper is less than 10 μm;
• positioning said cell at a site inside said capillary taper, wherein said cell circumferentially is at least in contact with the inner surface of the capillary taper and at said site forming a giga-seal between cell membrane and inner surface of said capillary taper with an electric resistance of at least 10 GigaOhm;
• and performing a patch-clamp experiment on said cell wherein said electric resistance is measured inside said capillary taper at the site of the giga-seal.