Electric hum - A common patch clamp problem
50/60 Hz line-frequency noise, also known as electrical hum, is the most common source of background noise in patch-clamp electrophysiology experiments. Originating from alternating current (AC) of the electrical mains and delivered via power outlets, this noise can often overwhelm biological signals of interest, making sensitive current or voltage measurements nearly impossible.
Typical troubleshooting can be time-consuming and only partially effective as researchers need to identify and either eliminate or shield noise source. While notch or off-line filtering methods can be employed, often these filter-based methods do not fully remove electrical noise, and in some situations can actually distort biological signals and impair data accuracy.
Electrical hum overwhelming a single-channel recording of the principal subunit of olfactory cyclic nucleotide-gated channel (CNCA2). Data courtesy of Tsung-Yu Chen, Ph.D., University of California, Davis.
HumSilencer eliminates electrical hum without causing signal distortion
The HumSilencer™ technology available in Axon™ Digidata® 1550B Low Noise Data Acquisition System is a filter-free, adaptive technology that learns and removes local line-frequency noise patterns from incoming signal in less than one second.
- Filter-free noise elimination means no signal distortion such as frequency change, amplitude attenuation, phase shift, or DC voltage change
- HumSilencer is accessed through Axon pCLAMP™ or Axoscope™ software and can be turned on or off with a single click. No extra hardware is required!
- Learns and adapts to changing noise profiles within one second. Eliminates up to 20 V amplitude at the digitizer's analog input.
Patch and Record Cellular Network Noise-Free
Equipped with up to four analog HumSilencer inputs, the Digidata 1550B System enables you to record multiple cells at once for cellular network studies without 50/60 Hz line-frequency noise.
For more information, please visit the Digidata 1550B page or download our HumSilencer application notes.
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Customer story: University of Texas
University of Texas uses the Axon Patch-Clamp Systems to evaluate signaling mechanisms in the brain underlying memory and recall
"The beauty of using protocols in Clampex (a module in pCLAMP Software) is that you can program your system to control both stimulation and recording, making the whole system powerful and unique. More importantly is the versatility as you can input many different stimulating strategies, all under the control of Clampex.”
Customer story: University of Texas
University of Texas uses the Axon Patch-Clamp Systems to evaluate signaling mechanisms in the brain underlying memory and recall
"The beauty of using protocols in Clampex (a module in pCLAMP Software) is that you can program your system to control both stimulation and recording, making the whole system powerful and unique. More importantly is the versatility as you can input many different stimulating strategies, all under the control of Clampex.”
Extracellular field potential recordings
HumSilencer enables accurate measurement of extracellular field potential recordings of CA1 pyramidal cell body layer of a mouse hippocampus brain slice. Top = HumSilencer-enabled data;bottom = raw data. Data courtesy of John Huguenard, Ph.D., Stanford University
Extracellular field potential recordings
HumSilencer enables accurate measurement of extracellular field potential recordings of CA1 pyramidal cell body layer of a mouse hippocampus brain slice. Top = HumSilencer-enabled data;bottom = raw data. Data courtesy of John Huguenard, Ph.D., Stanford University
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Whole-cell recordings
HumSilencer enables accurate single measurement in whole-cell recordings from a C. elegans body-wall muscle cell. Top = HumSilencer-enabled data; bottom = raw data. Data courtesy of Zhao-Wen Wang, Ph.D., University of Connecticut Health Center.
Whole-cell recordings
HumSilencer enables accurate single measurement in whole-cell recordings from a C. elegans body-wall muscle cell. Top = HumSilencer-enabled data; bottom = raw data. Data courtesy of Zhao-Wen Wang, Ph.D., University of Connecticut Health Center.
Macroscopic currents from excised patches
HumSilencer enables accurate measurement of macroscopic currents from patches excised from an HEK cell at -80V holding and repolarizing potentials. Top = HumSilencer-enabled data; bottom = raw data. Data courtesy of Huanghe Yang, Ph.D., University of California, San Francisco.
Macroscopic currents from excised patches
HumSilencer enables accurate measurement of macroscopic currents from patches excised from an HEK cell at -80V holding and repolarizing potentials. Top = HumSilencer-enabled data; bottom = raw data. Data courtesy of Huanghe Yang, Ph.D., University of California, San Francisco.
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HumSilencer does not distort current-induced action potentials
HumSilencer does not distort current-induced action potentials, which were evoked by injecting a depolarizing current pulse into the recorded muscle cell. Top = HumSilencer-enabled data; middle = raw data; bottom = injected current pulse at 100 nA magnitude and 100 ms duration. Data courtesy of Andrew Voss, Ph.D., Wright State University.
HumSilencer does not distort current-induced action potentials
HumSilencer does not distort current-induced action potentials, which were evoked by injecting a depolarizing current pulse into the recorded muscle cell. Top = HumSilencer-enabled data; middle = raw data; bottom = injected current pulse at 100 nA magnitude and 100 ms duration. Data courtesy of Andrew Voss, Ph.D., Wright State University.
eBook: HumSilencer
Eliminate 50/60 Hz line-frequency noise in less than one second
The HumSilencer® feature of the Axon™ Digidata® system learns, adapts, and eliminates local 50/60 Hz line-frequency noise patterns and associated high-frequency harmonics from incoming signals on up to four channels in parallel.
eBook: HumSilencer
Eliminate 50/60 Hz line-frequency noise in less than one second
The HumSilencer® feature of the Axon™ Digidata® system learns, adapts, and eliminates local 50/60 Hz line-frequency noise patterns and associated high-frequency harmonics from incoming signals on up to four channels in parallel.
Latest Resources
Resources of HumSilencer
Brochure
Axon™ Patch-Clamp
Axon™ Patch-Clamp
The Axon Instruments® portfolio provides comprehensive solutions for patch-clamping that includes amplifiers, digitizer, software, and accessories.
eBook
HumSilencer: eliminating line-frequency noises across a wide range of electrophysiological applications
HumSilencer: eliminating line-frequency noises across a wide range of electrophysiological applications
A major challenge within electrophysiology research is 50 or 60 Hz line frequency electrical noise, which can either distort or completely drown out the biological signal the researcher…
Data Sheet
Axon Digidata 1550B Plus HumSilencer
Axon Digidata 1550B Plus HumSilencer
Get details about Axon Digidata 1550B Low-Noise Data Acquisition System plus HumSilencer.
Application Note
HumSilencer: A smart and simple Axon Digidata 1550 Series feature for eliminating line-frequency noise
HumSilencer: A smart and simple Axon Digidata 1550 Series feature for eliminating line-frequency noise
To rapidly and effectively eliminate line frequency noise, Molecular Devices has developed the next generation of digitizers—the Axon™ Digidata® 1550 Series Low-Noise Data Acquisition…
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Application Note
HumSilencer eliminates electrical hum without causing signal distortion
HumSilencer eliminates electrical hum without causing signal distortion
In this application note, we have answered many of the questions and concerns of using HumSilencer to remove line frequency interference without distorting the biological signals…
Videos & Webinars
Molecular Cloning Workcell
Manual vs Automated Colony Picking
Introducing the Axon Digidata 1550B Low Noise Data Acquisition System plus HumSilencer
Digidata 1550A plus HumSilencer Video
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