Patch Clamp Recording of Starburst Amacrine Cells in a Flat-mount Preparation of Deafferentated Mouse Retina

The overall goal of this procedure is to perform whole-cell patch clamp recording from inner retinal neurons in the flat-mount mouse retina preparation. This method can help answer key questions in the retinal neurobiology field such as the diversity of neurons, their synaptic connections under the normal and pathological conditions. The main advantage of this technique is that both the vertical and lateral connections are preserved allowing the retina circuits with large lateral components to be studied.

Generally, individuals new to this method will struggle because retina is a thin, delicate tissue which must be handled with great care and patience. Practice, however, is the best way to master it. To begin this procedure, roll the mouse eyeballs in a clean paper towel to remove any blood.