Check the link below:
http://www.cytocentrics.com/electrophysiologyproducts/cytopatch8482;2/comparisonofpatchclamptechnologies.aspx
$50,000 to $75,000 is more realistic, including a quality microscope, which is the most expensive single component (can be >$35K). It really depends on what preparation you want to use, e.g. thick tissue or planar culture, etc. This will dictate how fancy the optics need to be, whether you want an inverted or upright scope, and what type of illumination system you require, which can be significant costs. If you require the ability to patch clamp with more than one electrode for simultaneous recording of multiple cells, the additional micromanipulators and amplifiers will add up fast. The estimates I give are based on traditional patch clamp rigs for work in brain slices and with considerable bells and whistles. It would be possible to do for less with some effort to build components cheaply or to track down used parts for the less critical parts.
Just wanted to add that the 'automated' planar patch clamp systems that would be good for drug screening or high throughput applications will only work well for cells that have a simple morphology. If that is the direction you are going it would be quite different from a conventional neurophysiology patch clamp set up.
Do not forget things like the anti-vibration table and electrode puller; you can probably build your own Faraday cage.
Dear Tigran:
A lot depends on your budget and preferences. Are you looking for new parts or will consider also used equipment? I would suggest you to contact Scientifica for a quotation. This will be a good starting point and will give you some idea where actually you stand with your current budget. The guys from Scientifica are quite helpful and will provide you with an expert advise. Good luck.
Saak Ovsepian
First look for used components. For a single cell patch clamp setup it would be difficult to keep it under $30K even looking for inexpensive items. An inexpensive rig would need a small air table, faraday cage (home built), simple inverted microscope (used), inexpensive pipette puller (narishige maybe), pipette heat polisher (I find useful), hydraulic micropositioner (don't skimp here), analog amplifier with A/D board and computer or just a newer digital amplifier and computer. Keep your eyes open. I have seen analog systems in great shape put up for sale or bid when newer systems were purchased by the PI.
Nice discussion. Sorry to interrupt. Where and how can we buy used equipments for setting up patch clamp?
Dear Touqeer Ahmed,
I don't have such information, but it is a good idea. If you find any sources forward me the links, I will do the same if something interesting emerges.
Dear Mark, thanks for the link. Is it possible to equip completely the patch clamp lab from ebay? I haven't checked it before.
Air tables, amplifiers, microforges, and microscopes are on ebay. You could build the Faraday cage yourself. I am uncertain regarding software packages for the amplifiers.
Hi, I have helped to equip several labs with electrophysiology and core facility-level imaging setups. Your saving on e-bay could be > 60%. The coins are: 1. most sales come from people who have no idea about equipment they saling and how to test it; 2. Most hardware comes without essential drivers (so, cheek if you can get it, otherwise you will get just a piece of junk). Specifically for Patch clamp setup your price from vendors will be in the range 100k, which includes: micromanipulator 5K-15K; inverted or modular upright microscope 10-60k, +~20 k if you need infrared CCD; amplifier ~10k +5 k software; vibration isolation table 3 k; Faraday cage 2 k; perfusion system 1-3 k; patch pipette puller 4-15 k. All these stuff became permanently available on ebay, and your ebay saving may be > 60 k, if you know wayd.
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