Success with the hard cell

Dr Alan Finkel revolutionised neuroscience research by developing an instrument to record the electrical activity of a single nerve or heart cell.

His advanced electronic device is now standard equipment in neuroscience laboratories around the world, and served as the basis for establishing a company, Axon Instruments, which rapidly became a world leader in designing and building equipment for cell research and drug discovery. Last year, Axon was sold to a US company, Molecular Devices Corporation

In the early 1980s, when Dr Finkel was studying electrical activity in brain tissue for his PhD, the existing equipment was not suitable for observing what he wanted in the small brain cells of mammals. So, after gaining a doctorate in Electrical Engineering at Monash University, he set about creating a new tool for the job.

The major difficulty was trying to put two electrodes into one cell. After working for two years at the John Curtin School of Medical Research at the Australian National University, Dr Finkel solved the problem by developing the single electrode voltage clamp — a single electrode that, by means of clever electronics, could do the work of two. He then turned around and gave the first five of his electrodes to Australian colleagues, instantly providing them a huge lead in world neuroscience research.

The resources to mass-produce the voltage clamp did not exist in Australia, so Alan Finkel moved to San Francisco in 1983 where he formed Axon Instruments and began to develop a range of equipment to analyse living cells. With the best technology, tireless promotion and attention to customer service, Axon began to succeed against far wealthier and better-resourced companies.

It now provides about 60 percent worldwide of the instruments used for measuring electrical activity in cells. This equipment is used in research to understand conditions related to electrical activity in cells, such as pain, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure and cystic fibrosis, as well as to develop medical equipment such as pacemakers.

In 1987, Alan moved some of his R&D back to Melbourne, where he eventually employed 15 local engineers. With another 150 employees in California, Axon established itself as the world leader in designing and building equipment for cell research and drug discovery. Recently, for instance, it has developed automated instruments for screening medicines that act on the central nervous system to treat diseases such as epilepsy and Alzheimer’s.

Six years ago Axon had the most successful launch in the history of the Australian Stock Exchange — but soon after, the market went flat and there were problems developing a new product line. In 2002 the company traded at a loss for the first time ever.

Alan took over leadership, and within 12 months new devices for neurological, genome and protein research were on the market, and Axon was back in the black. During this time, however, the Board retrenched a number of employees. Feeling a personal responsibility, Alan organised assistance including new employment.

Alan endorsed the sale of Axon to Molecular Devices Corporation partly so he could focus on his scientific research. He maintains his support for Australian science through the Finkel Foundation’s school for young Australian neuroscientists, and he remains Axon’s Chief Technical Officer. He also is the financial backer of Cosmos, a new popular science magazine soon to be launched in Australia.

For further information go to www.cluniesross.org.au