Fluoride-free ion channel recordings: Innovation for high quality APC data
Metrion Biosciences and Sophion Bioscience are leading the way in advancing automated patch clamp (APC) technology by delivering high-quality recordings with giga-ohm (GΩ) seals - without the need for fluoride.
The challenges of fluoride in ion channel recordings
Fluoride has long been used as a seal enhancer in ion channel recordings, helping to achieve the high-resistance seals necessary for high quality recordings. However, fluoride is not naturally present inside cells and can introduce unwanted physiological side effects, potentially interfering with ion channel function. This presents a challenge for researchers who require both high-fidelity data and biologically accurate conditions – especially in fields like cardiac safety pharmacology and calcium-dependent ion channel studies.
Fluoride-free solutions for high-quality electrophysiology
By developing innovative assay techniques, Metrion and Sophion have successfully identified alternatives that:
- Maintain high-quality giga-ohm seals, ensuring robust and reliable ion channel recordings.
- Eliminate fluoride-induced side effects, allowing for a more physiologically relevant approach to APC studies.
- Enhance drug discovery and safety pharmacology, particularly in cardiac research, where fluoride can impact action potential recordings.
These fluoride-free alternatives provide a critical advancement for scientists working in ion channel research, enabling them to generate more accurate, reproducible, and physiologically meaningful data. This not only benefits academic researchers but also has significant implications for the pharmaceutical industry, where better ion channel recordings can lead to safer and more efficient drug development.
By continuing to refine APC methodologies and introduce new solutions, Metrion and Sophion are ensuring that researchers have access to the best possible tools for studying ion channels. This collaboration builds on Sophion’s 25 years of expertise in APC and its patented fluoride-free solutions (WO2018100206A1). The work marks an important step forward in the pursuit of more effective and physiologically relevant high-throughput electrophysiology, giving researchers more options for more physiologically relevant and reliable ion channel recordings.
For guidance and support in your fluoride-free assay development contact us: info@sophion.com