Fragile samples

Unfortunately, the rigorous stirring required for high- resolution respirometry causes problems for organisms / samples that are easily damaged by mechanical force, like fish eggs or beads used to grow adherent cells. Therefore the Adherent cells in the oxygraph problem is linked to the fragile sample problem.

One possible work around for fragile samples (including large beads)is to construct a cage from wire that holds the actual sample. A few threads of this wire cage can be used to position the cage inside the chamber by holding it against the chamber walls. This requires samples large enough to be retained by a wire cage wide-meshed enough to allow for sufficient stirring of the liquid. However, this and other methods are always a compromise. Experiences with these or other methods would be extremely welcome on this page and on its accompanying Discussion page!