Edinburgh Temperature Controller System (ETC)

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have developed temperature controller software that will monitor and control the full electrophysiology rig and provide the capability to run acute-slice experiments overnight.

In a brain slice chamber the conventional heater can cause droplets of condensation from the fluid filled chamber to form on the cooler electrodes and consequently limit the time available to collect brain slice recording.

Rather than controlling the heating of the slice chamber, the temperature software controller maintains the temperature of everything within the insulated rig. The temperature of the oxygenated air, the brain slice, the electrodes and the remaining rig equalise providing a stable environment for long-term recordings.

Example: the temperature can be maintained at a constant 32 degrees and extend the length of slice viability to times that allow investigations of long-term changes in synaptic connectivity.

Further information can be found at the ETC system website.