EcoTech Zebrafish High-Throughput Respirometry System
| Brand | EcoTech |
|---|---|
| Origin | Beijing, China |
| Model | Zebrafish High-Throughput |
| Detection Technology | Fluorescent Fiber-Optic Oxygen Sensing |
| Channel Capacity | 96 simultaneous channels |
| Oxygen Measurement Accuracy | ±0.1% O₂ @ 1% O₂ or ±0.05 mg/L @ 0.44 mg/L |
| Oxygen Resolution | 0.01% O₂ @ 1% O₂ or 0.005 mg/L @ 0.44 mg/L |
| Response Time | <30 s |
| Temperature Sensor Range | 0–50°C, Resolution: 0.012°C, Accuracy: ±0.5°C |
| Pressure Sensor Range | 300–1100 mbar, Resolution: 0.11 mbar, Accuracy: ±6 mbar |
| Max Sampling Frequency | 10–20 Hz per active channel |
| Power Supply | 5 VDC via USB |
| Dimensions (O₂ Host) | 162 × 102 × 32 mm |
| Weight (O₂ Host) | 670 g |
| Chamber Material | Sterilizable transparent polystyrene |
| In Situ Compatibility | Yes — designed for incubators and orbital shakers |
| Non-Invasive & Non-Destructive Operation | Yes |
Overview
The EcoTech Zebrafish High-Throughput Respirometry System is an engineered platform for precise, real-time quantification of oxygen consumption rates (OCR) in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos and larvae. It leverages solid-state fluorescent fiber-optic oxygen sensing—a physicochemical detection method based on dynamic quenching of ruthenium-based luminophores by molecular oxygen—to deliver high-fidelity metabolic data without electrochemical drift, membrane fouling, or oxygen depletion artifacts common in Clark-type electrodes. This optical principle ensures stable calibration over extended measurement periods and eliminates cross-sensitivity to CO₂, pH, or redox-active compounds. The system supports parallelized respirometric assays across 96 independent microchambers, enabling statistically robust experimental designs with biological replication at scale. Its compact, low-power architecture (USB-powered, <700 g host unit) allows seamless integration into temperature-controlled environments—including standard laboratory incubators and orbital shakers—ensuring strict thermal regulation during developmental-stage metabolic profiling.
Key Features
- Fluorescent fiber-optic oxygen sensing with <30 s response time and sub-0.01% O₂ resolution at physiological ranges
- Integrated environmental monitoring: onboard temperature (±0.5°C accuracy) and barometric pressure (±6 mbar) sensors for real-time partial pressure correction
- Non-invasive, label-free measurement—no electrode insertion, dye loading, or sample manipulation required
- Reusable, autoclavable polystyrene microchambers compatible with standard 96-well plate formats and pre-sterilization protocols
- High temporal resolution: up to 20 Hz sampling per active channel, supporting transient metabolic event capture (e.g., hypoxia onset, drug-induced metabolic shifts)
- Compact host unit (162 × 102 × 32 mm) optimized for space-constrained setups including multi-incubator deployments
- Factory-calibrated sensors with user-accessible two-point (0% and 21% O₂) calibration routine using ambient air and nitrogen-saturated water
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The system is validated for use with zebrafish embryos (0–72 h post-fertilization) and early larvae (up to 7 dpf), accommodating developmental stages where metabolic rate correlates strongly with mitochondrial biogenesis, cardiac output, and environmental stress response. Chamber geometry and volume (standardized to ≤200 µL per well) maintain dissolved O₂ gradients within acceptable limits for closed-chamber respirometry calculations. Optional configurations extend compatibility to other small aquatic models—including medaka, fathead minnow, and sea anemone larvae—as referenced in peer-reviewed studies on climate resilience and toxicant bioassays. All hardware complies with IEC 61000-6-3 (EMC emission standards) and meets CE marking requirements for laboratory instrumentation. Data acquisition workflows support ALCOA+ principles (Attributable, Legible, Contemporaneous, Original, Accurate) and are compatible with GLP-compliant audit trails when paired with validated software configurations.
Software & Data Management
The bundled EcoTech RespiroSoft™ v4.x provides a modular interface for experimental setup, real-time visualization, and kinetic analysis. It enables automatic calculation of routine respirometric parameters—including basal OCR, maximum OCR (after uncoupler titration), spare respiratory capacity, and non-mitochondrial oxygen consumption—using standardized equations derived from the Seahorse XF assay framework. Raw sensor signals (intensity decay lifetimes) are stored in HDF5 format with embedded metadata (timestamp, chamber ID, environmental conditions), ensuring FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) data handling. Export options include CSV, MATLAB (.mat), and direct integration with Python (via provided API) for custom modeling pipelines. For regulated environments, optional 21 CFR Part 11 compliance packages include electronic signatures, role-based access control, and immutable audit logs—fully traceable to individual measurement events and calibration actions.
Applications
- Developmental toxicology: Quantifying metabolic disruption induced by pharmaceuticals (e.g., tacrolimus), pesticides (e.g., fenpropathrin), or tire-derived contaminants (6PPD-quinone)
- Climate change physiology: Assessing thermal acclimation, hypoxia tolerance, and CO₂-driven metabolic depression in early life stages
- Genetic and pharmacological screening: High-throughput evaluation of mitochondrial dysfunction in mutant lines or after small-molecule intervention
- Ecotoxicology: Tiered hazard assessment of emerging pollutants (nanoplastics, acid mine drainage, dispersed crude oil) using OCR as a sensitive endpoint
- Metabolic phenotyping: Correlating respiration kinetics with behavioral outputs (e.g., locomotor activity, heart rate) in multi-endpoint assays
- Environmental health: Field-deployable validation of water quality biomarkers through standardized larval respirometry protocols
FAQ
Can this system measure adult zebrafish?
Yes—optional static and dynamic respirometry modules are available for adult zebrafish (Danio rerio), supporting both intermittent-flow and continuous-flow configurations with adjustable chamber volumes.
Is the software compatible with macOS or Linux?
RespiroSoft™ natively supports Windows 10/11; macOS and Linux users can access full functionality via Docker container deployment or Python API integration.
How is oxygen concentration converted to metabolic rate (nmol O₂/min/mg biomass)?
The software applies the standard closed-chamber respirometry equation incorporating chamber volume, temperature-corrected oxygen solubility, sample mass (user-input), and time-series slope analysis—with built-in correction for atmospheric pressure drift.
Are chambers certified for sterile cell culture use?
Chambers are manufactured from medical-grade polystyrene and pass ISO 10993-5 cytotoxicity testing; they may be sterilized by autoclaving (121°C, 20 min) or ethylene oxide, though repeated autoclaving may affect optical clarity over >20 cycles.
Does the system support long-term unattended operation (e.g., 72-hour assays)?
Yes—the host unit features thermal management for continuous operation up to 96 hours, and the software includes automated fail-safe logging with email alerts for sensor saturation or communication loss.
