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F09 Platform

Electrophysiology Core Facility

Claire P at the F09 rig. Photo.

The F09 setup is centered around a Molecular Devices Axopatch 700B amplifier with a Digidata 1440 digitizer. It is designed for use with both cells grown on coverslips and brain slice preparations, allowing for up to 2-channel recordings. These recordings can be paired with electrical stimulation via an isolated current stimulator or local pharmacological stimulation using a picospitzer. 

Additionally, an epifluorescence light system is available for optogenetic applications. The rig is integrated with a Zeiss LSM 710 NLO microscope, offering confocal and 2-photon laser imaging capabilities. This enables simultaneous electrophysiological recordings with live calcium imaging or detailed imaging of anatomical structures in cells loaded with fluorescent dyes via recording pipettes.

Applications of the F09 Electrophysiology Platform:

  • Patch-Clamp Electrophysiology
    We offer high-resolution recordings of ion channel activity in cells grown on coverslips or brain slice preparations. This approach is ideal for investigating synaptic plasticity, ion channel function, and membrane properties.
  • Synaptic Plasticity and Signal Transmission
    We can explore synaptic plasticity, transmission dynamics, and neuronal network properties by evoking and recording synaptic responses. On the B10 platform, multi-channel recordings can be used to assess network-level interactions.
  • Circuit Mapping and Connectivity Analysis
    We can map neuronal circuits and analyze connectivity in brain slices, combining electrical stimulation with calcium or other ion imaging. This allows for a detailed study of neuronal network interactions and connectivity.
  • Stem Cell and Neurodegeneration Research
    We can examine the functional integration of stem cell-derived neurons or neural progenitor cells within neural circuits. Additionally, we monitor electrophysiological properties over time to assess how these cells integrate and function within existing networks.
  • Optogenetic Experiments
    We can investigate optogenetically-controlled neural circuits by combining real-time electrophysiological recordings with optogenetic stimulation, allowing for precise temporal control over specific neuronal populations.

  • Neuropharmacological Studies
    We can assess the impact of pharmacological compounds on target ion channels or receptors using manual patch-clamp electrophysiology. This includes measuring selectivity, specificity, efficacy, dose-response and potency (EC50/IC50), kinetics of drug interaction, ion channel modulation, and detailed analysis of the mechanism of action (MOA). Our system supports early-stage hit validation, lead optimization, and safety pharmacology.
  • Simultaneous Electrophysiology and Imaging
    We can combine electrophysiological recordings with live ion imaging using the Zeiss LSM 710 NLO confocal or 2-photon microscope. This allows for real-time analysis of cellular activity alongside the use of ion sensors (such as those for calcium, chloride, zinc, and others) and genetically encoded sensors like GRABs for monitoring neurotransmitter activity.
  • Patch-Clamp delivery Studies (for example: patch-clamp RNAi delivery)
    We can deliver interference RNA (RNAi) directly through the patch-clamp pipette, allowing for local knockdown of gene expression during electrophysiological recordings. This approach enables the study of how gene silencing affects ion channel function or synaptic activity.
  • Single-Cell RT-PCR
    We can perform single-cell RT-PCR via patch-clamp electrodes, enabling the analysis of gene expression in the same cells used for electrophysiological recordings. While newer technologies such as scRT-PSC provide broader single-cell transcriptomics, this technique remains valuable for combining targeted gene expression data with functional assessments.

Meet the F09 - Research Engineer in Charge:

Portrait of Claire P. Photo.

Claire Piochon, PhD

Claire Piochon holds a PhD in Neuroscience from Paris University. She developed extensive expertise in patch-clamp electrophysiology and live calcium imaging during her postdoctoral research at the University of Chicago, where she focused on synaptic plasticity in Autism Spectrum Disorders. At Northwestern University, she broadened her research to neurodevelopmental disorders like Fragile X syndrome, utilizing human IPSC-derived neurons.

With industry experience at Eli Lilly, a global pharmaceutical company, and Metrion Biosciences, a CRO specializing in electrophysiology services for drug development, Claire joined the Electrophysiology Core Facility at Lund University. She is eager to support a wide range of research projects and is available to collaborate on experimental design, data analysis, and customized electrophysiological protocols. Researchers are encouraged to reach out to discuss how the F09 platform can enhance their research.

Piochon C, Levenes C, Titley HK, Hansel C. (2022). The calcium sensor, rather than the route of calcium entry, defines cerebellar plasticity pathways. PNAS. PMID: 35193964

He Q, Arroyo ED, Smukowski SN, Xu J, Piochon C, Savas JN, Portera-Cailliau C, Contractor A. (2019). Critical period inhibition of NKCC1 rectifies synapse plasticity in the somatosensory cortex and restores adult tactile response maps in fragile X mice. Molecular Psychiatry. PMID: 29703945

Piochon C, Titley HK, Simmons DH, Grasselli G, Elgersma Y, Hansel C. (2016). Calcium threshold shift enables frequency-independent control of plasticity by an instructive signal. PNAS. PMID: 27799554

Piochon C, Kano M, Hansel C. LTD-like molecular pathways in developmental synaptic pruning. Nat Neurosci. 2016. PMID: 27669991.

Piochon C, Kloth AD, Grasselli G, et al. (2014). Cerebellar plasticity and motor learning deficits in a copy-number variation mouse model of autism. Nature Communication. PMID: 25418414

Piochon C, Levenes C, Ohtsuki G, Hansel C. (2010). Purkinje cell NMDA receptors assume a key role in synaptic gain control in the mature cerebellum. Journal of Neuroscience. PMID: 21068337

About the F09 Platform

Contact: 

Claire [dot] piochon [at] med [dot] lu [dot] se (Claire[dot]piochon[at]med[dot]lu[dot]se) 

Working hours: 

8:30 to 16:30 every day except Wednesdays

Location:

F0936: MultiPark platform

Mouse Purkinje cell filled with a fluorescent dye (the tip of the pipette is visible at the soma). Another stimulating electrode (visible near the tip of a dendritic branch) was used to evoke synaptic responses.
Mouse Purkinje cell filled with a fluorescent dye (the tip of the pipette is visible at the soma). Another stimulating electrode (visible near the tip of a dendritic branch) was used to evoke synaptic responses. Image by: Claire Piochon.
Page manager: alexis [dot] bento_luis [at] med [dot] lu [dot] se | 25 Oct 2024