A seal enhancer for improving the patch clamp seal in a patch clamp method or apparatus is provided. The internal solution comprises particular anions and the external solution comprises one or more metal ions at low concentration.

Systems, devices and methods for cell analysis provide an end user with real-time cell analysis and imaging of single cells in a population. Various cell analysis systems can provide both optical imaging, as well as electroscopic imaging, which is an image of cellular response as detected by sensors covering a cell footprint or cellular efflux. An automated fluidic system can provide an end-user selected sequence of reagents to cells, while precision controlled sensor array device thermostatting, and analysis compartment environmental control provide consistency in the cell analysis system environment.

An electrochemical measurement device for measuring a chemical substance generated or consumed in a biological sample in a solution includes electrode surfaces, a spacer, and at least one wall plate. The electrode surfaces, the spacer, and the wall plate are arranged on the same flat surface. Each of the electrode surfaces has a diameter d.sub.el not more than 80 μm. A height of the spacer has a predetermined value within a range given by h=21.8(d.sub.el+0.8)/(d.sub.el+9.7)±5 [μm]. The spacer has a structure in which an enclosed three-dimensional region is not formed by the biological sample, the flat surface, and the spacer while the biological sample is in contact with the spacer. The wall plate has a property of being impervious to a dissolved substance in the solution and has a height not less than the height of the spacer. Two of the electrode surfaces are separated by the wall plate.

A cell capture system including an array, an inlet manifold, and an outlet manifold. The array includes a plurality of parallel pores, each pore including a chamber and a pore channel, an inlet channel fluidly connected to the chambers of the pores; an outlet channel fluidly connected to the pore channels of the pores. The inlet manifold is fluidly connected to the inlet channel, and the outlet channel is fluidly connected to the outlet channel. A cell removal tool is also disclosed, wherein the cell removal tool is configured to remove a captured cell from a pore chamber.

Disclosed herein are an apparatus for electrically assessing and/or manipulating cells. One aspect is directed to electrically mapping cells on the surface of the semiconductor substrate via cross-electrode impedance measurements. Further according to some aspects, the electrode array allows for spatially addressable electrical stimulation and/or recording of electrical signals in real-time using the CMOS circuitry. Some of these aspects are directed to using an electrode array to perform cell patterning through electrochemical gas generation, and extracellular electrochemical mapping.

Disclosed is an integrated biochemical sensor including a reference electrode, a plurality of working electrodes each having different artificial lipid membranes, and partition layers for electrically insulating the reference electrode and each of the working electrodes.

Disclosed herein are an apparatus for electrically assessing and/or manipulating cells. One aspect is directed to electrically mapping cells on the surface of the semiconductor substrate via cross-electrode impedance measurements. Further according to some aspects, the electrode array allows for spatially addressable electrical stimulation and/or recording of electrical signals in real-time using the CMOS circuitry. Some of these aspects are directed to using an electrode array to perform cell patterning through electrochemical gas generation, and extracellular electrochemical mapping.

A method for time constant estimation includes generating a bound for a R=1/g of the inverse solution; for any R picked within the bound for R, extracting the voltage dependence of the time constant; and extracting the roots of a tree like structure. A method to quantify a time constant of each gate of a Hodgkin Huxley formalism with activating and inactivating gates with currents recorded with a T-step and G-step protocols, and methods to quantify a time constant of each gate of a Hodgkin Huxley formalism with activating and inactivating gates are also described.

A cell capture system including an array, an inlet manifold, and an outlet manifold. The array includes a plurality of parallel pores, each pore including a chamber and a pore channel, an inlet channel fluidly connected to the chambers of the pores; an outlet channel fluidly connected to the pore channels of the pores. The inlet manifold is fluidly connected to the inlet channel, and the outlet channel is fluidly connected to the outlet channel. A cell removal tool is also disclosed, wherein the cell removal tool is configured to remove a captured cell from a pore chamber.

The invention relates to a new method of delivering an analyte to a transmembrane pore in a membrane. The method involves the use of microparticles.