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LabTrax 8/16 hardware combined with MDAC software is an excellent choice for WPI's SI-H line of muscle physiology products like the SI-MT Muscle Platform, SI-CTS Cell Tester and SI-HTB Horizontal Tissue Baths. This data acquisition system is ideal for testing physiological characteristics like the contractile and elastic properties of different tissues in various conditions like isometric, anisometric or isotonic states. This data acquisition system was designed with the muscle researcher in mind, because the knowledge of physiological characteristics of muscles is critical when quantifying the beneficial or adverse effects of a stimulus (like a pharmaceutical drug) on muscle function in pre-clinical studies.

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An amplifier, in simplest terms, is an electronic device that magnifies an input signal. However, the way an amplifier is designed to handle noise and bandwidth limitations greatly affects the quality and sustainability of the final output signal.

Defining Terms

To knowledgeably discuss amplifiers, let’s define a few terms.

• Gain – The gain is the multiplier defining how much the amplitude of an input signal is increased. A signal with an X1 gain is not amplified. An X10 gain produces an output signal ten times greater than the input signal.
• Noise – Any unwanted signal fluctuations are called noise. While noise can also result from external sources, for the purpose of this discussion, we are primarily concerned with the noise resulting from the inner workings of the electronic device, our amplifier. This intrinsic noise is called shot (or schott) noise.
• Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) – The ratio of the output signal...more

Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQ) about TEER measurement using an EVOM2.

• Are the electrical resistance and transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) the same thing?
• What is an EndOhm chamber?
• How is an EVOM2 used for measuring confluence?
• Why use an EndOhm instead of a STX?
• How do I clean my electrode?
• What about electrode preconditioning?
• Can you give me a simple data acquisition system for TEER?
• What are the TEER measurement challenges that I may encounter?
• Can you suggest some experimental...more

Nitric oxide (NO) is an essential signaling molecule and is known to play a significant role in a multitude of physiological systems including the central nervous system (CNS), the cardiovascular system, the gastrointestinal tract, the immune system, and the renal system. ^1-5 However, being highly reactive, detection and quantification of NO is very difficult.^6,7 It requires a sensor that is sensitive, selective to NO, and easy to calibrate.

WPI’s Free Radical Analyzer (4-channel TBR4100  and single-channel TBR1025) and the LabTrax Data Acquisition System with the options of using nano NO sensors, micro NO sensors, ...more

Selection of Electrodes for TEER Measurements

Transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), also referred as the transepithelial resistance (TER) is used to monitor cellular health. TEER is comprised of measurements of the transcellular pathway (i.e., resistance due to an individual cell) and paracellular pathway (i.e., resistance due to the formation of the cellular junctions). TEER is commonly used to monitor cellular confluence. TEER values can indicate changes in the cellular monolayer permeability, showing the monolayer barrier function of cells such as, endothelial (brain microvessel) and epithelial (alveolar, kidney, and intestinal) cells. High TEER values generally reflect tighter cellular monolayers or cellular junctions (Lewis 1996, Matter and Balda 2003, Denker and Sabath 2011). A few major benefits of WPI TEER measurement systems are described below. The TEER values (electrophysiological analysis) can be combined with other analysis methods to further understand...more

Transepithelial Electrical Resistance TEER measurements is the most convenient, reliable and non-destructive method for evaluating and monitoring the growth of epithelial tissue cultures in vitro. The confluence of the cellular monolayer is quickly determined by a sharp increase in TEER. TEER measurement technology, which was first introduced by WPI in the mid-1980's, has since been perfected and expanded to include a range of TEER related manual and automatic instrumentation, including:

• EVOM² - Manual TEER measurement of epithelial cells in 24- and 96-well plates
• REMS AutoSampler - Automated system for High Throughput Screening (HTS)

EVOM2 Volt-Ohm Meter

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What is REMS?

The REMS AutoSampler automates measurements of electrical resistance of transepithelial, transendothelial or Caco-2 cell membranes being grown to confluence on microporous filters of high throughput screening (HTS) 24- and 96-well microplates. It is a PC-controlled, tissue resistance measurement system that offers reproducibility, accuracy and flexibility for this kind of measurement. The ability of the REMS AutoSampler to precisely locate the electrode results in highly reproducible TEER measurements. TEER measurements are stored in the computer as the electrode moves from one well to the next. The Windows-based software provides user-friendly features to acquire, display and store the tissue resistance measurements.

Automated...more

Automated measurement of tissue resistance in cell culture microplates provides the important advantages of speed, precision, decreased opportunity for contamination and the instant availability of measured resistance data on a computer. These measurements are useful in applications such as drug bioavailability studies and studies on the mechanisms of drug transport.

The main components of the REMS AutoSampler include:

• Robotic sampler that moves the electrode over each well of the microplate
• Electrode which is located on the robotic arm
• Base plate for the 24-and 96-well tray
• Windows-based data acquisition card
• REMS interface unit
• REMS software to operate the system on a Windows-based computer

The REMS AutoSampler automates TEER measurements previously made with WPI's EVOM2 Epithelial Voltohmmeter. Automated tissue resistance measurements up to 20kΩ can be performed on 24- or 96-well HTS microplates. Microplates presently supported include the Corning Costar HTS Transwell-24, Falcon HTS Multiwell insert systems, and Millipore Multiscreen™ CaCo 96-well plate. The REMS AutoSampler is designed to facilitate integration with other robotic systems. Special locating bars are installed on the REMS base platform that allow other system robots to place an HTS tray into a precise location on the REMS base.

The REMS AutoSampler automatically measures and records tissue resistance from a user-specified matrix of culture wells on the microplate. According to the specified sequence, the robotic arm moves over the identified wells taking TEER measurements. By means of a x-y-z locating system, the electrode-containing arm is positioned precisely and reproducibly over each well. The ability of the REMS AutoSampler to reproducibly and precisely locate the electrode results in highly reproducible TEER measurements. TEER measurements are stored in the computer as the electrode moves from one well to the next. The Windows-based software provides user-friendly features to acquire, display and store the tissue resistance measurements.

The REMS electrode is compact and robust in design. Each of two rod-shaped probes, 1.5mm in diameter, consists of a pair of electrodes: one electrode for injecting current and the other for measuring the voltage. The use of two pairs of electrodes eliminates the error caused by the electrode-liquid interface. To take a measurement, the robot inserts one probe into the center of the filter well and the other into the opening slot of the 24- or 96-well plate. The use of AC current to measure resistance provides several advantages over DC current, including:

• Absence of offset voltages on measurements
• There is a zero net current being passed through the membrane, and therefore it is not adversely affected by a current charge
• No electrochemical deposition of electrode metal.

The REMS AutoSampler also features a rinse and calibration check station. If occasional rinsing of the REMS electrode is required, it maybe sent to a rinse...more

World Precision Instruments (WPI) offers a broad range of research instruments for zebrafish (Danio Rerio) research, from the time the genetics of the subject are modified through the point where the physiological effects of the change are monitored. Whether researchers are performing microinjection or making cardiovascular measurements, the WPI product line includes instruments for research on oocytes, embryos, larvae and adult zebrafish.

Enhanced Microinjection Efficiency for Genetic Modification

The customizable Zebrafish Microinjection Toolbox includes...more

Stretch receptors are specialized fibers that are in parallel to the fibers in muscle. The receptors stretch as the muscle is lengthened, and they generate action potentials. The frequency of these action potentials is proportional to the length of muscle stretch and the position of the muscle. Through sensory nerve fibers from the stretch receptors, the action potentials and their frequency provide feedback to the central nervous system that will modulate reflex responses and motor control of the muscle.

Setup

For these studies, the whole muscle and the nerve that innervates it are isolated from the organism. A muscle and its nerve, like the Soleus, is isolated and placed in the cuvette of an SI-MT or SI-HTB muscle research system. The muscle is positioned so that the myoneural junction (the place where the nerve innervates the muscle) is on the top side of the muscle. The ends of...more

In any laboratory, having key lab supplies is almost as important as having the major equipment. Choosing a reputable supplier of these necessary supplies is as important as having quality laboratory supplies when you need them. WPI wants to be your partner in early drug discovery, and we stock a wide variety of lab supplies, many of which can ship the same business day. Having a variety of lab supplies ready to ship makes us a dependable research partner. Here are some of the popular supplies that we keep on hand to meet your needs for your upcoming experiment...more