Patent ID: 6455303
Filing Date: 2002-09-24
Classification: G01N,Y10S

Abstract:
An apparatus for detecting a modulator of a receptor or ion channel, comprising:(a) a patch-clamped biosensor; (b) a first capillary electrophoresis separation capillary for fractionating a sample comprising the modulator; wherein the separation capillary comprises: (i) a sample inlet part which is connected to a high-voltage power supply through a buffer vial containing a buffer supplemented with a receptor agonist; and (ii) a grounded outlet which ends close to the patch-clamped biosensor that is activated by the receptor agonist and deactivated by fractional antagonist, wherein the outlet delivers a fraction comprising the modulator to the biosensor; (c) a patch clamp electrode in electrical communication with the patch-clamped biosensor and a recording apparatus for recording currents detected by the patch clamp electrode; (d) a second capillary having an outlet for delivery of a buffer not comprising any agonist to the biosensor, said second capillary having an inlet connected to a superfusion system; and (e) means for switching a position of the first and second capillaries so that the patch-clamped biosensor alternatively is placed in front of the outlet of the first capillary and in front of the outlet of the second capillary.