Multipatch Setup

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We hereby apply for the procurement of a multipatch setup that will enable neuroscience researching groups at the University Medical Center Mainz to carry out complex electro-physiological experiments. A multipatch setup enables a direct analysis of network parameters such as connectivity, excitation and inhibition, time-precise detection of individual action potentials, and the analysis of synapse properties (short-term plasticity, synaptic strength, etc.) in acute brain slices. In principle, the analysis of synaptic communication is also possible on conventional setups with recording form 2 neurons. However, these measurements are very time-consuming, since the probability of finding monosynaptically connected pairs in acute brain slices is extremely low. With the proposed multipatch setup, up to 12 neurons can be recorded simultaneously. In addition, the pipettes on the setup can be cleaned automatically after each recording such that one can record with one pipette signals from several neurons in succession. This drastically increases the number of neuron connections that can be tested in one experiment (>100). With the help of a multipatch setup, large amounts of electrophysiological data can be obtained in a short time with a significantly reduced number of test animals. This will enable us to carry out a comprehensive analysis of complex network parameters in acute brain slices, which would not be possible with conventional setups the high expenditure of time.