Introduction > Main Features of WinWCP
WinWCP is a data acquisition and analysis program for handling signals from whole-cell electrophysiological experiments: whole-cell patch clamp experiments, single- and two-microelectrode voltage-clamp studies, simple membrane potential recordings. Whole-cell signals are produced by the summation of currents through the (usually) large population of ion channels in the cell membrane, and thus consist of relatively smooth current or potential waveforms. The amplitude and time course of such signals contain information concerning the kinetic behaviour of the underlying ion channels, and other cellular processes, which can be extracted by the application of a variety of waveform analysis techniques.
WinWCP provides, in a single program, the data acquisition and experimental stimulus generation features necessary to make a digital recording of the electrophysiological signals, and a range of waveform analysis procedures commonly applied to such signals. WinWCP acts like a multi-channel digital oscilloscope, collecting series of signal and storing them in a data file on magnetic disk. Its major features are:
Recording
· 4-16* analog input channels
· 256-8388608* samples per recording sweep.
· 2 billion records per data file.
· 2-4* channel stimulus voltage waveform generator.
· 4-8* digital output lines, for operating solenoid controlled valves or other experimental devices.
· External trigger input, to synchronise recording sweeps with external events.
· Spontaneous event detector.
*Depending upon laboratory interface
Analysis
· Signal averaging.
· Digital leak current subtraction.
· Automatic waveform amplitude/time course measurement.
· Mathematical curve fitting to waveforms.
· Non-stationary current fluctuation analysis.
· Quantal analysis of synaptic currents.
· Synaptic driving function analysis.
· Synaptic current and Hodgkin-Huxley current simulations.