Atmospheric Control Unit (ACU) - Module for independent O₂ and CO₂ control
for the Omega series of microplate readers

		Regulate O2 from 1 - 19 %
		Regulate CO2 from 0 - 20 %
		Dual independent gas controller for total cell control
		True "walk-away" solution for long term cell based assays
		Mammalian Cell Assays, Hypoxia, Cell Viability, Migration Studies, Invasion Assays, Intracellular pH, Angiogenesis, Viral Uptake, Bacterial Studies, Ischemia / Reperfusion and more

Atmospheric Gas Controller for Optimal Cell Control

The Atmospheric Control Unit (ACU) first released in the UK in August 2009, provides fully regulated independent control of both O₂ and CO₂ levels within the read chamber of the Omega series of microplate readers. In combination with the temperature control and unrivalled shaking options of the Omega series, this option provides a true ‘walk away’ solution for long term cell based assays.

O₂ levels can be programmed into the system between 1 - 19%, such conditions are created by using Nitrogen to purge the O₂  from the system. The concentration is monitored and maintained using a calibrated electrochemical sensor that provides accurate control. CO₂ can be added to the chamber and is monitored using a sensitive infra red sensor giving accurate control of CO₂ between 0 - 20%. The superior control of the valves regulating the gases ensures that once the reader is equilibrated there is a minimal consumption of gases.

Unique to the Atmospheric Control Unit, the gases are regulated independently, meaning that any combination can be programmed without the need to change the cylinders or piped gas supplies.

Any microplate reader from the Omega series can be equipped with the ACU to produce the perfect instrument for most cell based assays:

• Control of O₂ and CO₂ conditions - select the conditions that match your required  physiological conditions
• Control the temperature – microbes at 42°C no problem
• Shaking – orbital, linear, double orbital, variable speed, select the desired amount of aeration or mixing
• Top or bottom read modes offered by the different readers of the Omega series – Fluorescence, Absorbance, and Luminescence, Time Resolved Fluorescence, Fluorescence Polarisation and Alphascreen.
• Applications can be run in a dedicated mode or using combination of modes acquire all the data you need in a single experiment.

Applications include:

• Mammalian Cell Assays
• Stem Cell Assays
• Hypoxia
• Cell Viability (AN 159, AN 214)
• Cell Proliferation (AN 195)
• Cell Growth (AN 217, AN 155)
• Migration Studies (AN 204)
• Invasion Assays (AN 144)
• Intracellular pH (Assay Technology ph-XTRA)
• Mitochondrial Studies (AN 207)
• Angiogenesis
• Viral Uptake
• Bacterial Studies (AN 155, AN 207, AN 189, AN 199)
• Ischemia / Reperfusion Injury

The ACU is designed to control both O₂ and CO₂ by default but can be used to regulate each of the gases independently. When only one gas is regulated it is recommended that the in line pressures are set according to the table below.