Dissociation and culture of mechanosensory neurons for patch clamp analysis.

Single mechanosensory neurons were isolated from chordotonal organs of adult cockroach antennae. Transmission and scanning electron microscopy showed that the soma and part of the mechanosensory ending survived the dissociation. In culture, outgrowth occurred from the ending. Regions of cell membrane were accessible for patch clamp analysis and channels were recorded. The ability to record channel activity in isolated mechanosensory neurons will allow the study of mechanotransduction mechanisms at the membrane level.