Ussing Chamber Systems for USDA University of Arkansas Research in Fayetteville, AR

Physiologic Instruments is proud to support cutting-edge research at the United States Department of Agriculture – Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS) and the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville through our precision-engineered Ussing chamber systems and electrophysiological tools. Our systems empower scientists to investigate nutrient absorption, intestinal barrier function, and epithelial transport mechanisms essential to advancing agricultural, food, and biomedical sciences.

Ussing Chamber Systems being used at USDA University of Arkansas Research laboratory

Precision Tools for Nutritional & Agricultural Physiology

The USDA-ARS Human Nutrition Center and the University of Arkansas’s Departments of Animal Science, Poultry Science, and Biological Sciences all share a common goal: advancing knowledge of how epithelial tissues respond to diet, disease, and environmental stressors. Our Ussing chambers help researchers quantify ion transport, barrier integrity, and permeability in animal and human epithelial tissues—supporting vital agricultural and food policy decisions.

How Our Ussing Chambers Are Being Used in Fayetteville

Researchers in Fayetteville and our P2300 and P2400 Ussing chamber systems with voltage/current clamps (VCC MC6 and MC8) for studies such as:

  • Nutrient absorption efficiency in poultry and swine intestines under various dietary regimens, especially carbohydrate and amino acids

  • Tight junction integrity in intestinal epithelium challenged by bacterial pathogens (e.g., Salmonella, Clostridium)

  • Effects of feed additives or prebiotics on intestinal transport and immune responses

  • Toxin exposure studies to assess epithelial barrier breakdown in livestock

Our systems support the USDA’s mission to enhance food safety, animal health, and production efficiency, as well as the university’s goal to train the next generation of agricultural and biological researchers.

Key Features of Our Ussing Chamber Systems

  • ✅ Modular chambers for native or cultured tissues (e.g., jejunum, colon, ileum, trachea)

  • ✅ Compatible with Snapwell™ inserts and native tissue preparations

  • ✅ Multi-channel VCC systems for high-throughput screening

  • ✅ Easy integration with temperature control, oxygenation, and sample collection

  • ✅ Built-in support for short-circuit current (Isc), transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), and permeability measurements

Potential Areas of Future Expansion for USDA Research

Our Ussing chambers can help expand the USDA-ARS’s capacity to explore:

  • 🔬 Gut-brain axis studies using intestinal epithelium and neuroactive compound transport

  • 🐖 Trans-epithelial drug transport in animal models to evaluate pharmaceutical delivery in food animals

  • 🌾 Plant-derived compound effects (e.g., phytonutrients, lectins, anti-nutrients) on mammalian or avian intestinal transport

  • 💧 Water-quality impact on gut barrier function in agricultural runoff-exposed models

  • 🦠 Antimicrobial resistance mitigation strategies, testing how probiotics or dietary shifts affect mucosal defenses

Supporting the Research Mission in Arkansas

Located in Fayetteville, AR, the University of Arkansas and the USDA-ARS Human Nutrition and Agricultural Research divisions are at the heart of agricultural innovation. Physiologic Instruments provides:

  • 📦 Fast shipping and system customization for Arkansas-based labs

  • 📘 Comprehensive support materials, manuals, and application notes

  • ☎️ Direct access to technical support and training

  • 🛠 Ongoing product updates to meet evolving research needs

Get Started with Physiologic Instruments

Are you a researcher at the University of Arkansas or USDA-ARS in Fayetteville interested in expanding your epithelial research capabilities?

👉 Contact us today to schedule a consultation or request a quote.

 

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