Motor Neurons Patch Clamp Assay

Creative Biolabs is a leading provider of research services and products in the field of neuroscience. Our team of experts has over 20 years of experience in the development and optimization of assays to study the properties of neurons. Our automated patch clamp (APC) platforms allow us to conduct electrophysiological characterization of hiPSC-derived motor neurons. This technique is a powerful tool for studying the electrical properties of motor neurons.

High-throughput Screening of hiPSC – derived Motor Neurons Using APC Platform

Automated patch clamp (APC) technology has revolutionized the field of electrophysiology, enabling high-throughput screening of ion channels and drug discovery. By using APC technology, Creative Biolabs can analyze a large number of hiPSC-derived motor neurons simultaneously, greatly increasing the efficiency of the screening process.

In addition to its high-throughput capabilities, APC technology also enables the recording of action potentials, providing a more comprehensive understanding of motor neuron function. Creative Biolabs utilizes APC technology to study the electrophysiological properties of hiPSC-derived motor neurons, including resting membrane potential, input resistance, and action potential firing rate. These measurements provide valuable insights into the development and function of motor neurons, as well as potential disease mechanisms.

Fig. 1 High throughput measurements of hiPSC-derived motor neurons. (Hu, 2010)

Electrophysiological Characterization of hiPSC-derived Motor Neurons

Electrophysiological characterization of neurons is essential to understand their functional properties and to identify aberrant activities associated with disease pathology. In the case of motor neurons, electrophysiological measurements can provide information about their intrinsic properties, such as resting membrane potential, action potential threshold, and firing frequency. Moreover, electrophysiology can also reveal synaptic connections and their strength, enabling the study of synaptic plasticity and the effects of neurotransmitters and drugs on neuronal activity.

Fig. 2 Electrophysiology properties of iPSC-derived neurons. (Zhang, 2015)

Characterization of hiPSC Motor Neurons Derived from Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Patients

hiPSC-derived motor neurons are of great interest for their potential to model neurodegenerative disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Electrophysiological characterization of these neurons is essential to understand their functional properties and to identify aberrant activities associated with disease pathology.

Neurons MEA Assay

In addition to the patch clamp assay, Creative Biolabs also offers the Neurons MEA (Microelectrode Array) Assay. This technique is a high-throughput, non-invasive method to study the activity of motor neurons in vitro. The MEA consists of an array of microelectrodes that can detect the electrical activity of neurons in real-time. This technique can also be used to study the effects of neurodegenerative diseases on motor neurons.

In conclusion, the Motor Neurons Patch Clamp Assay and Motor Neurons MEA Assay are powerful techniques for studying the properties of motor neurons. Creative Biolabs has extensive experience in the development and optimization of these assays and can provide customized services to meet the specific needs of each experiment. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help advance your research in the field of neuroscience.

References

1. Hu, Bao-Yang, et al. "Neural differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells follows developmental principles but with variable potency." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 107.9 (2010): 4335-4340.
2. Zhang, Shu-Zhen, et al. "Urine-derived induced pluripotent stem cells as a modeling tool for paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia." Biology open 4.12 (2015): 1744-1752.