The roboocyte: automated electrophysiology based on Xenopus oocytes

Methods Mol Biol. 2007:403:87-109. doi: 10.1007/978-1-59745-529-9_6.

Abstract

Automated electrophysiological assays are of great importance for modern drug discovery, and various approaches have been developed into practical devices. Here, we describe the automation of two-electrode voltage-clamp (TEVC) recording from Xenopus oocytes using the Roboocyte automated workstation, jointly developed by Multi Channel Systems and Bayer Technology Services. We briefly discuss the technology, including its advantages and limitations relative to patch clamp and other TEVC systems. We provide a step-by-step description of typical operating procedures and show that the Roboocyte represents a practical and highly effective way to perform automated electrophysiology in an industrial setting.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Automation / methods*
  • DNA, Complementary / administration & dosage
  • DNA, Complementary / pharmacology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Electrodes
  • Electrophysiology / methods*
  • Injections
  • Ion Channel Gating / drug effects
  • Ligands
  • Oocytes / drug effects
  • Oocytes / enzymology
  • Oocytes / physiology*
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques
  • Programming Languages
  • RNA, Messenger / administration & dosage
  • RNA, Messenger / pharmacology
  • Robotics / methods*
  • Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / metabolism
  • Xenopus laevis*

Substances

  • DNA, Complementary
  • Ligands
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase