Ussing chamber

Ussing Chamber

The Ussing chamber is a scientific apparatus used to measure the transport of ions across biological membranes. It was first developed by the Danish physiologist Hans Ussing in the 1950s. The device is particularly useful in the study of epithelial tissues, such as those found in the intestines, lungs, and kidneys.

Diagram of an Ussing chamber setup.

Principle

The Ussing chamber consists of two half-chambers that are separated by a sheet of epithelial tissue. Each half-chamber is filled with a physiological solution that mimics the fluid environment on either side of the tissue. Electrodes are placed in each chamber to measure the electrical potential difference across the tissue, which is indicative of ion transport activity.

The chamber allows researchers to control the chemical composition of the solutions on either side of the tissue, enabling the study of how different ions and molecules are transported across the membrane. By applying a voltage across the tissue, researchers can also measure the short-circuit current, which provides information about the net ion transport.

Applications

The Ussing chamber is widely used in physiological and pharmacological research. It is instrumental in studying the mechanisms of ion transport in epithelial tissues, which is crucial for understanding processes such as nutrient absorption, secretion, and the maintenance of membrane potential.

Illustration of the basis of membrane potential.

In addition to basic research, the Ussing chamber is used in drug development to assess the effects of pharmaceuticals on ion transport and epithelial barrier function. It is also employed in toxicology to evaluate the impact of environmental toxins on epithelial tissues.

Related pages

• Hans Ussing
• Ion transport
• Epithelial tissue
• Membrane potential

References

• Ussing, H. H., & Zerahn, K. (1951). Active transport of sodium as the source of electric current in the short-circuited isolated frog skin. Acta Physiologica Scandinavica, 23(2-3), 110-127.
• Helman, S. I. (1972). The Ussing chamber and its contributions to epithelial transport research. Journal of Membrane Biology, 10(1), 1-30.