The Chiptip: a novel tool for automated patch clamp.

To facilitate automated patch clamp measurements of ion channels in cells, the development of an all-glass Chiptip pipette is reported that may be combined with the previously described Flip-the-Tip technology. A single measurement requires less than 50 cells, and the addition of drugs for screening can be limited to very low volumes down to 1 microL. This apparatus is suitable for the study small cells, subcellular organelles and bacteria.