RAPID COATING OF GLASS-CAPILLARY MICROELECTRODES FOR SINGLE-ELECTRODEVOLTAGE-CLAMP

The single-electrode voltage-clamp technique requires sharp glass-capi llary microelectrodes, whose electrical properties often limit the cap abilities of. the recording system. Here, we describe a rapid and simp le way of coating fine microelectrodes with Dricote and Vaseline that improves their performance during voltage-clamp. The coating prevented clogging of the tips, improved the capacitance compensation of the el ectrodes, helped to seal the electrode rips into cell membranes and al lowed visualization of the tips under saline solution. This new coatin g method led to greatly improved recordings and better characterizatio n of the transduction and voltage-activated currents in an isolated pr eparation of spider mechanosensory neurons. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.