The Patchliner has been used with various types of cells and ion channels, with high success rates regarding seal formation (60-80%) and subsequent whole-cell recordings. The recordings are stable (>20 min) so that in most cases entire dose-response curves can be extracted from the same cell. The stability comes from the fact that it is a one entity system where vibrations cause all parts to move synchronously. No additional isolation from vibrations is required for either Port-a-Patch or Patchliner. As can be seen from the lower figures, several cells were used for recordings over a prolonged period of time. hERG expressing cells and Jurkat cells, endogenously expressing Kv1.3 channels, were repeatedly perfused with quinidine and intermittently washed in normal recording solution, reversing the block and regaining the current. Nav1.5 expressing cells were repeatedly perfused with TTX and intermittently washed with control solution, also reversing the block.

Quinidine block of hERG. The top figures show the original traces and the corresponding IC50. Five concentrations of Quinidine (0.1, 0.3, 1, 3 and 10 μM) have been applied. The lower figure shows the corresponding Imax (-40 mV) including a washout step and an additional application of the blocker to demonstrate the stability of whole cell recordings. Cells were kindly provided by Cytomyx Millipore, UK.

Quinidine block of Kv1.3. The top left figure shows simultaneously recorded currents of two Jurkat cells. The application of 5 μM Quinidine leads to a partial block (red line) of the Kv1.3 currents (top right, only one cell shown). After a washing step the current is fully recovered (grey line). The lower figure shows the corresponding I max (+40 mV) in the presence of the control solution or 5 μM Quinidine of both cells (8 consecutive application- and washout-steps).

TTX block of Nav1.5. Original traces (top) and Imax (-40 mV) (low) as recorded in a Nav1.5 expressing CHO cell. Five concentrations of TTX (0.3, 1, 3, 10, 30 μM) have been applied, then washed out and applied again to demonstrate the stability of whole cell recordings. Cells were kindly provided by Cytomyx Millipore, UK.