Physiological Services
Our Physiological Services consists primarily of electrophysiology assays. Patch clamp electrophysiology is a versatile tool for ion channel research and drug development that includes structure-activity relationship studies and efficacy studies in the fields of pharmacology and toxicology. Considered the gold standard in the industry, electrophysiology is used to elucidate the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties of new molecular entities. The technique may also be used to characterize ion channel pathologies as well as validate transfected systems.
Electrophysiology
Conventional Patch Clamp Preliminary Screen [PS-CPC-PRE]
This is the most basic service offered that includes a general screen for ion channel modulation of a single compound tested at one concentration provided by the client, typically the IC50. This assay will be performed in triplicate, providing statistical analysis for one data point. The client will also need to identify an ion channel isoform to be tested, e.g. human NaV1.7.
Conventional Patch Clamp Partial Characterization [PS-CPC-PAR]
This is an intermediate service that generates a dose-response curve for a single compound using 5-7 concentrations to determine an IC50. This assay will be performed in triplicate at each concentration, providing statistical analysis for each data point. This characterization assumes the client has already acquired information on their compound regarding what type of modulation their compound elicits, e.g. fractional blockade, enhancement of inactivation, etc. The client will also need to identify an ion channel isoform to be tested, e.g. murine alpha7 nAChR.
Conventional Patch Clamp Full Characterization [PS-CPC-FUL]
This is a full service that generates a dose-response curve for a single compound using 5-7 concentrations to determine an IC50. Subsequent data analyses that will be provided include current-voltage relationships (I-V curves), conductance-voltage relationships (g-V curves), steady-state fast inactivation (h infinity curves), and tonic versus phasic inhibition determination. Each assay will be performed in triplicate at the IC50 and will provide statistical analysis. This characterization does not assume that a client has already acquired information on their compound regarding what type of modulation their compound elicits, rather is performing this assay to make that determination. The client will also need to identify an ion channel isoform to be tested, e.g. transfected HEK KV1.3.