Construction, calibration, and validation of a simple patch-clamp amplifier for physiology education.

A modular patch-clamp amplifier was constructed based on the Strickholm design, which was initially published in 1995. Various parts of the amplifier such as the power supply, input circuit, headstage, feedback circuit, output and nulling circuits were redesigned to use recent software advances and fabricated using the common lithographic printed circuit board fabrication process and commercially available electronic components. The calibration, validation, and regular recording procedures along with the results of an actual recording of inward Ca(2+) currents from PC12 neuronal cells are described in detail. This work describes the construction of a low-cost patch-clamp amplifier and setting up an electrophysiology recording system in a laboratory with regular technical expertise. The constructed amplifier provides an inexpensive yet practical tool for research and teaching purposes while the experience obtained during construction and setting up of the patch-clamp amplifier provides the basic and advanced understanding required for operating an advanced cell potential recording apparatus.