Axon Digidata 1550B Low-Noise Data Acquisition System plus HumSilencer

Cellular Pathway Analysis

Ion channels are involved in many cell pathways and understanding the function of ion channels in response to changes in membrane potential or the presence or absence of other molecules is important in order to understand exactly how ion channels participate in normal and abnormal biological processes such as cell differentiation and migration, disease states, and neuronal communications.

Digital Acquisition

The current or voltage signal acquired by the amplifier is an analog signal, but to perform data analysis needed for high resolution patch-clamp measurements, the analog signal must be converted into a digital one. Positioned between the amplifier and the computer, the digitizer accomplishes this important task. Signal quality is extremely important and is impacted by the sampling frequency. The latest generation of Digidata digitizers sample at 500 kHz and can be equipped with HumSilencer, which eliminates 50/60 Hz line-frequency noise.

Disease Research

Ion channels play a role in many diseases including hypertension, cardiac arrhythmias, gastrointestinal, immune and neuromuscular disorders, pathological pain, and cancer. By understanding the exact role that ion channel play in a particular disease, researchers might be able to find a way to affect the ion channel in such a way as to alter the course of the disease.

HumSilencer Technology

50/60 Hz line-frequency noise, also known as electrical hum, is the most common source of background noise in patch-clamp electrophysiology experiments. This noise can overwhelm biological signals of interest, making sensitive patch-clamp measurements nearly impossible. Traditional trouble shooting is typically only partially effective and can impair data accuracy. HumSilencer is a filter-free, adaptive technology that learns and removes line frequency noise without using methods that impair signal accuracy like filters, that can distort biological signals.

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