This includes, for example, pharmacological stimulation in an organ bath or measurements of the (complex) transepithelial / transendothelial resistance. We perform (immuno)histochemical work-up of fixed and embedded tissue samples and subsequently analyze them using microscopy techniques.
We use histological analyses to characterize the anatomical structure of tissues or tissue models. Specific tissue structures can be visualized by using selected dyes. Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization allow visualization of defined antigens or RNA in tissue sections. The evaluation of the samples is performed by common microscopy techniques.
Measurements in the organ bath allow the examination of clamped vital tissues (e.g. intestine, vessels) under physiological conditions according to their isometric force changes. The apparatus allows four tissues to be examined in parallel, in which isometric force changes measured by means of a transducer are analyzed. In addition to pharmacological stimulation, targeted electrical field stimulation can also be applied, for example to specifically stimulate neuronal cells in the tissue.
The barrier integrity of epithelia or endothelia of a tissue or tissue model is analyzed by measuring the transepithelial / transendothelial resistance. To investigate the complex resistance, we use impedance spectroscopy. This allows the impedance to be determined over a frequency spectrum of 1 - 100 Hz, which means that a tissue can be analyzed with high precision in terms of its electrical properties. With the help of this technology, even the smallest changes in resistance can be measured.
Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC