2008 - Ion channel screening – automated patch clamp on the rise
Port-a-Patch and
Patchliner publication in Drug Discovery Today (2008)
Authors:
Farre C., George M., Brüggemann A., Fertig N.
Journal:
Drug Discovery Today: Technologies (2008) 5(1):e23-e28
Abstract:
Ion channel proteins are of major importance for the human physiology and thus highly attractive molecular drug targets. Large-scale ion channel screening of wanted and unwanted drug effects is required, but has been limited by the lack of adequate screening technology, because available methods put a tradeoff between high-throughput and high-information content. The advent of automated patch clamp platforms has revolutionized ion channel screening, enabling investigations from a more functional perspective at a much higher throughput. The current status of automated patch clamp platforms, their strengths and drawbacks as well as future developments are reviewed.