Need Help with Electronic Devices in Electrophysiology Experiments?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the challenges faced by individuals studying electrophysiology, particularly in relation to understanding and troubleshooting electronic devices used in experiments. Participants explore the need for supplemental education in electronics to support their work in this field.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes that the electronic knowledge required for electrophysiology is higher than what is typically covered in Biology and Biochemistry coursework, seeking advice on fundamental concepts.
  • Another participant requests clarification on the role of an electrophysiologist, indicating a lack of familiarity with the field.
  • A participant describes the tasks of an electrophysiologist, including troubleshooting wiring and understanding the influence of electromagnetic fields on electrode readings.
  • One participant suggests that self-study resources, such as "The Art of Electronics" by Horowitz and Hill, could provide a solid foundation in electronics relevant to electrophysiology.
  • Participants share links to external resources, including Wikipedia, to provide additional context about electrophysiology and its applications.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a general agreement on the need for a solid understanding of electronics in electrophysiology, but there is no consensus on specific educational resources or approaches, as some participants seek more detailed information while others provide general guidance.

Contextual Notes

Some discussions may depend on individual definitions of key terms in electrophysiology and electronics, and the effectiveness of suggested resources may vary based on personal learning preferences.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students and professionals in biology, biochemistry, neuroscience, and related fields who are looking to enhance their understanding of electronics in the context of electrophysiology experiments.

kingdomof
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Considering the amount of electronic knowledge needed for an electrophysiologist is relatively high compared to the amount found in coursework for the average Biology and Biochemistry major, would anyone give me some advice on how to supplement my education with some fundamental ideas that can help me understand and troubleshoot the electronic devices used in such experiments?

Thank you!
 
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Could you give us a pointer or two to information about what an electrophysiologist does? I don't think many of us are familiar with that.
 
Well, other than the very obvious finding of electro-chemical gradients, an electrophysiologist troubleshoots wiring and the influence of EMFs on a reading electrode.
 
kingdomof said:
Well, other than the very obvious finding of electro-chemical gradients, an electrophysiologist troubleshoots wiring and the influence of EMFs on a reading electrode.

So what you're saying is that I need to google it for myself. Okay, whatever.

wikipedia.org has a pretty good intro:

wikipedia.org said:
Electrophysiology is the study of the electrical properties of biological cells and tissues. It involves measurements of voltage change or electrical current flow on a wide variety of scales from single ion channel proteins to whole tissues like the heart. In neuroscience, it includes measurements of the electrical activity of neurons, and particularly action potential activity.

more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrophysiology

Okay, so you work with equipment like EKG, ECG, EMG, etc., and especially the electrical connections to the body. Got it.

You can pick up a good basic knowledge of electronics by self-studying with the book, "The Art of Electronics" by Horowitz and Hill. This will take you from the basics up through opamp circuits, basic digital circuits, and more. One strength of this book is that it lists practical components that you would actually use in real circuits, instead of just using ideal components and leaving out the real-world considerations. We had a thread about the book a while back here in the EE forum:

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=178516

Take a look at a copy at your local technical library, to see if it might be a good learning resource for you.
 
Thanks!
 

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