Physiological Oxygen Laboratory

The extensive oxygen gradient between the air we breathe and its ultimate distribution within mitochondria (under 1 kPa) is testament to the efforts expended in limiting its inherent toxicity. It has long been recognized that cell culture undertaken under room air conditions falls short of replicating this protection in vitro. Despite this, difficulty in accurately determining the appropriate O₂ levels in which to culture cells, coupled with a lack of the technology to replicate and maintain a physiological O₂ environment in vitro, has hindered addressing this issue. Our laboratory provides facilities for researchers to undertake cell culture under O₂ levels relevant to specific tissues to enable translation of findings under physiological conditions in vitro to disease pathology and discovery of novel therapeutics.