From a reductionist perspective, single channel recording approaches the ultimate form of electrophysiology - measurement of currents through the permeation pathway of individual proteins. With the use of patch clamp methods, investigators have measured events as fundamental as the blocking kinetics of individual ions as they enter and exit the channel permeation pathway. The patch clamp relies on formation of a gigaohm seal between the recording pipette and the cell membrane. While it can be exhilarating to conduct experiments with single ion channels, getting there can be hampered by all kinds of obstacles and problems. That's why I created this website, which is intended to provide practical information that will help you start patch clamping with a minimal amount of problems. The information at this site is the product of many invaluable discussions and input from other investigators, my own laboratory experience, and most importantly the guidance of my former mentor JL, as well as the postdocs and graduate students I met in his laboratory.