MS Recording and Imaging Chambers

MS-502 - Round chambers for 25 mm cover glass

The MS-502 Series are MS Chambers from ALA that secure tissue or cell preparations on 25mm round #1 or #2 cover glass. All MS Chambers are compatible with 35mm Petri dishes, the Microscope Stage Mounting Plate (MS-Stage) and the Heating and Cooling Microincubation Stage (HCMIS).

Key features of the MS-502 Series include:

• Round inner diameters of 0.75″ / 19mm
• Dual compressible o-rings that secure coverslips without adhesives

Options for the MS Chambers include:

• Stainless steel bottom for temperature control or Delrin bottom for imaging only purposes
• Low chamber walls or open sides for easy electrode access
• Built-in perfusion ports

MS-508 - Round chambers for 18 mm cover glass

The MS-508 Series are MS Chambers from ALA that secure tissue or cell preparations on 18mm round #1 or #2 cover glass. All MS Chambers are compatible with 35mm Petri dishes, the Microscope Stage Mounting Plate (MS-Stage) and the Heating and Cooling Microincubation Stage (HCMIS).

Key features of the MS-508 Series include:

• Round inner diameters of 0.5″ / 12.7mm
• Dual compressible o-rings that secure coverslips without adhesives

Options for the MS Chambers include:

• Stainless steel bottom for temperature control or Delrin bottom for imaging only purposes
• Low chamber walls or open sides for easy electrode access
• Built-in perfusion ports

MS-512 - Round chambers for 12 mm cover glass

The MS-512 Series are MS Chambers from ALA that secure tissue or cell preparations on 12mm round #1 or #2 cover glass. All MS Chambers are compatible with 35mm Petri dishes, the Microscope Stage Mounting Plate (MS-Stage) and the Heating and Cooling Microincubation Stage (HCMIS).

Key features of the MS-512 Series include:

• Round inner diameters of 0.325″ / 8.26mm
• Dual compressible o-rings secure coverslips without adhesives

Options for the MS Chambers include:

• Stainless steel bottom for temperature control or Delrin bottom for imaging only purposes
• Low chamber walls or open sides for easy electrode access
• Built-in perfusion ports

MS-518 - Oval chambers for 25 mm cover glass

The MS-518 Series are MS Chambers from ALA that secure tissue or cell preparations on 25mm round #1 or #2 cover glass. All MS Chambers are compatible with 35mm Petri dishes, theMicroscope Stage Mounting Plate (MS-Stage) and the Heating and Cooling Microincubation Stage (HCMIS).

Key features of the MS-518 Series include:

• Oval interiors of 0.75″ / 19mm x 0.375″ / 9.5mm
• Efficient solution exchange via laminar flow
• Dual compressible o-rings that secure coverslips without adhesives

Options for the MS Chambers include:

• Stainless steel bottom for temperature control or Delrin bottom for imaging only purposes
• Low chamber walls or open sides for easy electrode access
• Built-in perfusion ports

MS-CPC - Closed imaging chambers

The Closed Perfusion Chamber (MS-CPC) from ALA is designed for perfusion of cells cultured on coverslips during imaging experiments. The closed design enables control of solution application under sterile conditions.

The Closed Perfusion Chamber is designed for use in cell biochemistry, physiology, biophysics and imaging research. The MS-CPC holds a sample of living cellular material on a glass coverslip forming a sealed chamber with a second glass coverslip (cells are either cultured on the glass, or deposited there prior to closure of the chamber). The two coverslips are separated by an o-ring made from an elastomeric material. When the chamber is closed, the o-ring separates the two pieces of glass and defines the actual “space” of the chamber. Two versions are available: the round MS-CPC with 35 mm OD (see above) and the MS-CPC-FLAT with standard microscope slide dimensions (see below).

Oocyte chambers

The MS-OPC is a unique chamber that uses a funnel effect to channel perfusion solutions around an Oocyte in a very efficient manor. The Oocyte is placed at the bottom of the funnel, on the glass surface of the cover slip that forms the bottom of the chamber. Typically the Oocyte will adhere to the glass to some extent. The position of the Oocyte at the bottom of the funnel insures that it will be well bathed by the perfusion solution that is put into the chamber through the metal canula that is provided (19gage). Typically the canula is the infusion point, but it can be used in reverse, if a device such as an ALA Levelock™ is used to manage the solution outflow. If your suction line is simply tied to a vacuum source, then the canula should be used for infusion, and your suction line placed on the side of the funnel. (If you require adjustable holders for tubing with a magnetic base that can secure the chamber and the tools, please check out MS Tools from ALA scientific as well)
The funnel shape of the chamber helps to keep fluid levels constant by allowing an ever increasing space as the fluid rises. Also, the shape gives solutions space to spread out and dilute after application on the Oocyte when the next solution is infused at the bottom. In addition, the small volume created by the chamber at the bottom insures fast perfusion time, and the shape of the walls will give maximum axis for two recording electrodes.

The Xenoplace workstation is designed to be a simple yet comprehensive workstation for investigating the electrical properties of Xenopus Oocytes.
Oocytes are useful in electrophysiology and pharmacology research because the pre-emergent egg is basically a factory ready to make a frog, and therefore able to process a wide variety of RNA. As such it is very capable of processing the RNA that codes for membrane ion channels and can easily express those channels in the membrane of the egg. Since a typical egg is about 1mm across, millions to billions of channels can be expressed giving rise to large currents that can be more easily studied than in a neuron or other excitable tissue.
The large size of the egg can give rise to other electrical problems that must be dealt with such as large capacitance and high current. A good amplifier such as the TEC-03X from npi makes the perfect system to use with the Xenoplace since is contains many of the features necessary to discriminate membrane currents and give accurate recordings.

Ordering

MS-502 – Round chambers for 25 mm cover glass

MS-508 – Round chambers for 18 mm cover glass

MS-512 – Round chambers for 12 mm cover glass

MS-518 – Oval chambers for 25 mm cover glass

MS-CPC – Closed imaging chambers

Oocyte chambers