What is the SmartUSSING?

The SmartUSSING is a next-generation vertical multi-chamber Ussing system designed for electrophysiology research on epithelial tissues and cell monolayers. Developed by Warner Instruments, it measures transepithelial ion transport and barrier function across native tissues and cultured cell models — with dramatically simplified setup compared to traditional Ussing chamber systems.

The system features automatic amplifier calibration, intelligent compensation algorithms, and a compact footprint — enabling researchers to run up to 24 simultaneous experiments with a single computer, while eliminating the tedious manual preparation steps that have long been a bottleneck in epithelial physiology labs.

Key Features

• Automatic Amplifier Calibration: Calibrate all amplifiers in seconds with no manual adjustment required — saving significant setup time at the start of every experiment.
• Zero Preparation of Agar Bridge Electrodes: The SmartUSSING eliminates the need to prepare traditional agar bridge electrodes, one of the most time-consuming steps in conventional Ussing chamber setups.
• Intelligent Compensation: DC-offset and fluid resistance compensation are adjusted automatically, ensuring accurate measurement baselines without manual intervention.
• High-Throughput Capacity: Run up to 6 chambers per holder, and connect up to 4 systems to a single computer for a maximum of 24 parallel chambers — ideal for high-throughput screening and pharmacological studies.
• 40% Faster Experiment Setup: Streamlined design and automated calibration reduce setup time by approximately 40% compared to traditional systems.
• Miniaturized Amplifier Design: Miniature amplifiers are mounted directly to the chamber holder, reducing signal noise and simplifying cable management.
• Compact 50% Smaller Footprint: Designed for space-conscious labs, the SmartUSSING occupies half the bench space of conventional Ussing systems without compromising capability.
• USSING Control Software: Dedicated, user-friendly software for experiment control, data acquisition, and analysis — designed specifically for the SmartUSSING workflow.

Research Applications

The SmartUSSING is optimized for epithelial transport research across a wide range of tissue and cell model types. Its automated calibration and multi-chamber capacity make it equally powerful for small-scale mechanistic studies and high-throughput pharmacological screening.

Supported Tissue and Cell Models

• Native Epithelial Tissues: Stomach, intestine, gallbladder, urinary bladder, skin, trachea, and cornea — the SmartUSSING handles the full spectrum of native epithelia used in transport and barrier research.
• Primary and Secondary Cell Monolayers: Grown on permeable membrane supports, primary and secondary cell monolayers can be studied under physiological flow conditions with full electrophysiological monitoring.
• Immortalized Cell Lines: Well-established models such as Caco-2 (intestinal absorption) and MDCKr (renal epithelial) are fully supported for drug permeability, TEER monitoring, and ion channel studies.

Typical Research Workflows

• Transepithelial Electrical Resistance (TEER): Real-time monitoring of epithelial barrier integrity across tissues and cell monolayers under various pharmacological conditions.
• Short-Circuit Current (Isc) Measurements: Quantify net ion transport activity to characterize ion channel function and pharmacological modulation.
• Drug Permeability & Absorption Studies: Screen compound absorption across intestinal epithelial models in a high-throughput format.
• Electrolyte Transport Research: Investigate sodium, chloride, and potassium transport mechanisms in renal, intestinal, and pulmonary epithelia.