Ion Channel Screening
Ion channels are small membrane pores that act like electric switches and are involved in the transmission of signals, electrical stimulation and the body’s metabolism. Disturbances of the ion channels can lead to serious impairment of body functions. The most common causes of such disturbances include the adverse effects of drugs. At the same time, the influencing of ion channels can also be of great therapeutic benefit. This is why interest in the research into the effects of chemical substances on various ion channels is growing. Today more than 10% of all drug development projects in the pharmaceutical industry are already focusing on ion channels.
Indirect methods using radioactive or fluorescent markers, however, are unreliable and do not offer the fundamental requirements for ensuring voltage control and precise monitoring of the electrochemical driving force.
The patch clamp technique is currently the most state-of-the-art method for measuring ion flows through biological channels. It offers complete control over the channel pores’ electrical and chemical surroundings.
Until now, an individual cell had to be picked with a micropipette under a microscope on a vibration-damping table. This called both for the use of highly-specialized scientists and expensive equipment, as well as a lot of time. flyion has found a new approach with its Flip-the-Tip™ technology, turning the classic testing method quite literally upside down.