12 Patch-Clamp Set Up

The 12 patch-clamp technique was developed for use in the Blue Brain Project (by the Laboratory of Neural and Microcircuitry) to perform multi-neuron patch-clamping (collect multi-neuron signals). This technique in combination with the use of Nomarski microscopy* allows for the quantification of the morphological and electrical properties of different neurons and their synaptic connections. The accumulation of this type of data forms the foundational blueprint of the Blue Brain reconstruction of the cortical column. *The Nomarski Microscopy technique (also known as differential interference contrast microscopy) is used to image stained (or living) specimens of tissue which demonstrate little or no optical contrast when using bright field illumination.