Single-channel electrophysiology: use of the patch clamp.

The patch clamp technique affords unparalleled resolution of the detailed properties of ion channel currents. Patch clamping is not difficult and has been used to record single-channel currents from many cell types. The number of artifacts associated with the method appears to be rather small. The main experimental difficulties arise from the need to process large amounts of data. With the development of inexpensive computers and mass storage devices, these problems should be alleviated. The study of membrane excitability is expanding rapidly owing to the introduction of high-resolution patch clamp techniques. The conceptual revolution that will inevitably follow is just beginning.