Cytocentrics Launches the CytoPatch™ Instrument, an Automated Patch Clamp Device

Cytocentrics, specializing in automated patch clamp and ion channel screening services, proudly announces the launch of the CytoPatch™ Instrument, a fully automated device for gigaseal patch clamp measurements in the whole cell configuration. Major innovations of the device include the true patch pipette resembling the manual patch clamp, a unique perfusion system enabling the measurements of very fast activating and desensitizing ligand-gated ion channels, and the system scalability which meets every throughput demand. All innovations together give excellent data quality at manual patch clamp level.

The CytoPatch™ Instrument is the first automated patch clamp platform in which the patch clamp process takes place inside a sophisticated three-dimensional quartz glass microchip with integrated microfluidic channels. This chip technology in combination with a unique perfusion system is best suited for measuring the inhibitory effect of slowly acting compounds (permanent application of 10 minutes possible) or the very fast activating and desensitizing ligand-gated ion channels (compound application time of <10 ms).

“The CytoPatch™ Instrument satisfies the demands for flexibility and throughput of academia, research labs, CROs and the pharmaceutical industry, while at the same time being cost-effective” says Dr. Thomas Knott, CEO of Cytocentrics. “It delivers a very high data quality at manual patch clamp level and enhances the productivity through automation and long walk-away times”. For the cost-conscious university, Cytocentrics offers the semi-automated CytoPatch™ Instrument Academic below the costs of a manual patch clamp rig.

Each instrument is equipped with its own patch clamp amplifier and advanced perfusion system along with its own cell, buffer, and compound supply. One CytoPatch™ Instrument can perform either as a stand-alone device or as a multiple-unit system in which up to 20 individual instruments can be connected on a network. This modular built-up minimizes delay times and even makes it possible to run different assays in parallel with different cell types.

The CytoPatch™ Instrument comes with well-established ion channel assays like hERG, NaV1.5, K V1.5 and KV1.3. Essential for reliable data generation are electrophysiologically validated cell lines or quality-assured Instant Cells, which can be obtained from Cytocentrics as well. Training courses and instrument installation by our assay development and service team will round up the product and offer a complete solution to customers.

Tests have shown that the CytoPatch™ Technology allows for new applications. With the fast compound application time of <10 ms, measurements of very fast activating and desensitizing ligand-gated ion channels like the Acetylcholine Receptor alpha 7 are feasible. Furthermore, due to its unique chip technology and the very low cell consumption, the CytoPatch™ Instrument is well suited to measure primary cells like dorsal root ganglions or even stem cells. The CytoPatch™ Instrument generates gigaseals without the need of seal-enhancing chemicals, e. g. fluoride in the intracellular solution, and therefore offers a higher flexibility in study design.

Performance demonstrations of the CytoPatch™ Instrument are regularly held in our laboratories in Rostock, Germany. Please contact Cytocentrics to agree on a date. The next official presentation of the CytoPatch™ Instrument will be at the Safety Pharmacology Society Meeting on September 19-22, 2011 in Innsbruck, Austria.