Abstract
Small d.c. electrical signals have been detected in many biological systems and often serve important functions in cells and organs. For example, we have recently found that they play a far more important role in directing cell migration in wound healing than previously thought. Here, we describe the manufacture and use of a simplified ultrasensitive vibrating probe system for measuring extracellular electrical currents. This vibrating probe is an insulated, sharpened metal wire with a small platinum-black tip (10-30 μm), which can detect ionic currents in the μA cm-2 range in physiological saline. The probe is vibrated at about 300 Hz by a piezoelectric bender. In the presence of an ionic current, the probe detects a voltage difference between the extremes of its movement. The basic, low-cost system we describe is readily adaptable to most laboratories interested in measuring physiological electric currents associated with wounds, developing embryos and other biological systems.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 661-669 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | Nature Protocols |
Volume | 2 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 2007 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)