Development of patch clamping

Abstract

Patch clamping was first introduced into biophysical studies by Neher and Sakmann [1] in 1976 and was soon expanded to many other fields such as biology and medicine. The technique not only allowed the detection of single-channel currents in biological membranes for the first time but also enabled higher current resolution, direct membrane patch potential control, and physical isolation of membrane patches [2]. The development of the patch clamp method was honoured with a Nobel Prize in 1991.