The patch clamp technique, a cornerstone of electrophysiology, has revolutionized our understanding of neuronal activity. One vital aspect of this technique involves working with brain slices to examine the workings of individual neurons in amazing detail. However, maintaining the viability of brain slices poses a unique challenge. To support researchers in this endeavor, we are excited to present our new YouTube playlist—‘Brain slice physiology and patch clamp.’ This collection of three videos will discuss patch clamp and brain slice physiology, how he brain slices are kept alive for several hours, as well as typical challenges when performing brain slice experiments with rare and expensive pharmacological agents. Once brain slices are obtained, their viability becomes paramount. We discuss the critical steps involved in maintaining brain slices in optimized conditions to ensure the preservation of neuronal function. Viewers will learn about oxygenation methods, superfusion and proper storage solutions. The composition of the medium used to keep brain slices alive, termed artificial cerebrospinal fluid (ACSF), plays a pivotal role in maintaining cellular health and functionality. In the last video of the mini-series, we discuss PopNeuron’s in-vitro slice chamber which is designed for ultra-low fluid volumes, how it works and how it can help a research lab to significantly reduce the use of expensive pharmacological agents.
Brain slice physiology and patch clamp’ is an invaluable resource for researchers starting to dive into the fascinating world of electrophysiology, as well as non-experts who are interested in learning about the technique. With this comprehensive guide at your fingertips, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to explore this field and better understand what this technique is about.
We invite you to subscribe to our YouTube channel to access the playlist and embark on this journey of understanding the brain’s complexities at a cellular level. Happy slicing and clamping!
