Article
IS OXYGEN SABOTAGING YOUR RESEARCH?
Is Oxygen Sabotaging Your Research?
You’ll get more relevant, interpretable results under hypoxic conditions that mimic the in vivo oxygen environment. The evidence has been mounting and thousands of studies have demonstrated the problems with cell culture performed in 21% oxygen (normoxic).
Why Low Oxygen?
➢ High (20.95%) oxygen suppresses differentiation, proliferation and viability
➢ High (20.95%) oxygen suppresses regulatory and housekeeping genes
➢ High (20.95%) oxygen affects cell metabolism and metabolic pathways
Mimic the environment of cells in vivo
A standard, continuous flow CO2 incubator creates an environment of 21 percent oxygen, which many researchers have not questioned. Yet thousands of recent research papers and citations have clearly demonstrated the value of working in an environment that more closely matches in vivo conditions which are less than 10% oxygen (hypoxic). The vast majority of in vivo tissues in mammals reside at low oxygen levels. The level of oxygen that cells are exposed to is important to cell function and very few respond normally in a 21% oxygen environment.
Why work in an environment that suppresses genes and pathways?
Normoxic oxygen concentrations either suppress entirely or limit the expression of many genes and cellular pathways in culture. Results of experiments carried out in this kind of abnormal environment may be misleading. Check our many citations [link here] for proof. Studies clearly show that cells cultured under appropriate hypoxic physiological conditions, express regulator genes in vivo that are silent at higher, normoxic concentrations. Gene regulation, cellular proliferation, differentiation and viability are all sensitive to oxygen concentrations.
Why mimic all conditions except oxygen level?
➢ The discrepancy between in vivo and in vitro oxygen status can have detrimental effects on experiment interpretation
➢ Most stem cells and neuronal cells thrive in hypoxic conditions
➢ Exposure to lower, physiological oxygen conditions increases survival, proliferation and differentiation
➢ Some stimuli are toxic to cultured cells in atmospheric oxygen but effectively stimulate in physiologically relevant oxygen conditions
➢ Given the known consequences of oxidative stress on cells, it only makes sense to perform experiments in a physiological environment
➢ Research may be reproducible but relevant interpretation of results may be impossible due to inappropriate oxygen conditions
Our Hypoxia Chamber (Modular Incubator Chamber) provides an airtight environment for the creation of hypoxic, hyperoxic or normoxic conditions. Each unit is a self contained incubator.
Why Low Oxygen?
➢ High (20.95%) oxygen suppresses differentiation, proliferation and viability
➢ High (20.95%) oxygen suppresses regulatory and housekeeping genes
➢ High (20.95%) oxygen affects cell metabolism and metabolic pathways
Mimic the environment of cells in vivo
A standard, continuous flow CO2 incubator creates an environment of 21 percent oxygen, which many researchers have not questioned. Yet thousands of recent research papers and citations have clearly demonstrated the value of working in an environment that more closely matches in vivo conditions which are less than 10% oxygen (hypoxic). The vast majority of in vivo tissues in mammals reside at low oxygen levels. The level of oxygen that cells are exposed to is important to cell function and very few respond normally in a 21% oxygen environment.
Why work in an environment that suppresses genes and pathways?
Normoxic oxygen concentrations either suppress entirely or limit the expression of many genes and cellular pathways in culture. Results of experiments carried out in this kind of abnormal environment may be misleading. Check our many citations [link here] for proof. Studies clearly show that cells cultured under appropriate hypoxic physiological conditions, express regulator genes in vivo that are silent at higher, normoxic concentrations. Gene regulation, cellular proliferation, differentiation and viability are all sensitive to oxygen concentrations.
Why mimic all conditions except oxygen level?
➢ The discrepancy between in vivo and in vitro oxygen status can have detrimental effects on experiment interpretation
➢ Most stem cells and neuronal cells thrive in hypoxic conditions
➢ Exposure to lower, physiological oxygen conditions increases survival, proliferation and differentiation
➢ Some stimuli are toxic to cultured cells in atmospheric oxygen but effectively stimulate in physiologically relevant oxygen conditions
➢ Given the known consequences of oxidative stress on cells, it only makes sense to perform experiments in a physiological environment
➢ Research may be reproducible but relevant interpretation of results may be impossible due to inappropriate oxygen conditions
Our Hypoxia Chamber (Modular Incubator Chamber) provides an airtight environment for the creation of hypoxic, hyperoxic or normoxic conditions. Each unit is a self contained incubator.