In the field of tissue culture, there is a rapidly growing appreciation that a physiological cellular oxygen environment is essential for the analysis of cellular processes with respect to function and metabolism.
Rising to this challenge, Oxford Optronix has developed the HypoxyLab™ - a fully-featured, ergonomically engineered and easy to use normoxia/hypoxia workstation that provides a HEPA-filtered environment in which oxygen, carbon dioxide, temperature and humidity can be precisely controlled.
In short, HypoxyLab™ is a compact hypoxia workstation and incubator for everyday use, suitable for applications including,
Cancer, radiation and apoptosis cell biology
Stem cell research
Neurosciences research
Human virology research
Multidisciplinary drug development and proteomics
Key Benefits
True physiological oxygen (Physoxia)
As every scientist knows, it’s the partial pressure of oxygen that reflects the oxygen that cells actually ‘see’. The partial pressure of oxygen varies not only with oxygen concentration in the atmosphere, but also with altitude and prevailing weather conditions. For this reason we believe it is insufficient to express hypoxia in terms of a barometrically uncompensated percent oxygen concentration alone. HypoxyLab is therefore the world’s first and only hypoxia workstation that directly regulates its environment using the partial pressure of oxygen, expressed in absolute units of mmHg or kPa, making it insensitive to meteorological conditions or the altitude of the laboratory. This scientifically rigorous approach provides researchers the ability to replicate physiological oxygen in vitro, at the highest levels of accuracy and reproducibility.
Hypoxia chamber with proprietary gas control technology
HypoxyLab uses purpose-designed gas control hardware and an advanced Model Predictive Control (MPC) gas control algorithm, developed in-house, to create and maintain a fully humidified, highly stable oxygen-controlled environment for tissue culture. It responds rapidly to single or multiple setpoint changes, with minimal or zero overshoot characteristics, all while consuming surprisingly little nitrogen gas.
Hypoxia chamber offering in vitro dissolved oxygen from media & cultures
Dissolved oxygen can optionally be sampled directly and continuously from cell cultures (e.g. from the cell monolayer itself) and/or from media being conditioned within the HypoxyLab, via a miniature optical sensor that can be fed into the chamber through a dedicated, sealable side-gland. Oxygen readings (in mmHg) can be read from the OxyLite™ monitor or can be displayed and recorded by the HypoxyLab itself. OxyLite™ monitor required.
Optional OxyLite monitor and sensor support dissolved oxygen measurements directly from media and cell cultures within the chamber
Easy-entry hatch system
HypoxyLab’s 'letterbox' hatch entry system affords quick and easy transfer of cell plates and accessories into or out of the chamber without the need for an air lock or isolation hatch. HypoxyLab senses when items are passed through the hatch, temporarily generating a slight over-pressure to minimize ingress of external atmosphere. This immediate response ensures that oxygen concentrations within the chamber remain stable even when transferring items directly into or out of the chamber.
No transfer hatch required! Pass samples through the letterbox without upsetting the internal environment
Contamination control
HypoxyLab includes a built-in UV source within the water reservoir and a user replaceable HEPA filter that continuously scrubs the chamber atmosphere, ensuring that cultures and media are protected from contamination.
Replaceable HEPA filter unit
Touchscreen information display
Chamber oxygen, CO2, humidity and temperature are all set and controlled from the intuitively designed user interface and integrated touchscreen, which simultaneously displays the current real-time levels of these parameters in both digital and trace formats.
The main operating mode view displays setpoints and live values in numeric and trace formats for each parameterThe intuitive Configure Setpoints view allows direct adjustment of setpoints for oxygen, CO2, temperature and relative humidity
Lightweight cover & ergonomic design to suit any environment
HypoxyLab’s lightweight and durable cover can be easily removed. This not only allows for easy loading of media and consumables but makes routine cleaning and disinfecting of the workstation a practical reality. Its ergonomic design ensures natural, relaxed operation, with an angled vision panel combined with adjustable LED illumination that provide excellent visibility.
The lightweight cover simply lifts off the base
Cable thru-ports built in
In support of powered devices deployed within the HypoxyLab (digital microscopes, shakers, micro-centrifuges, etc.) the HypoxyLab features two dedicated thru-ports for the transfer of power and/or data cables up to 7 mm in diameter through the chamber wall without compromising the internal environment. The HypoxyLab ships with a pair of blanking glands.
The optional thru-port gland kit is described here.
A choice of adapters support cables between 3 and 7 mm in diameter
Waste take-off port built in
A 6 mm stainless steel take-off waste port is also built into the chamber wall as standard, intended for the aspiration of media, supernatants etc. from within the chamber via an externally connected vacuum pump.
6 mm waste thru-port
Data logging
Internal oxygen, CO2, temperature and humidity parameters are continuously recorded onto internal flash memory and can be exported to a USB flash drive. Data files can subsequently be analysed and played back using the free LabChart® Reader by ADInstruments.
Cost of ownership advantage
HypoxyLab’s compact design and advanced gas control algorithms ensure rapid and ultra-smooth transitions to setpoints, with industry-leading gas consumption performance. Together with service-free sensors and a user changeable HEPA filter, these characteristics minimize the long term cost of ownership.
2-year product warranty
Our confidence in the reliability of the HypoxyLab is reflected in our comprehensive manufacturer's warranty, covering defects in materials and workmanship for a period of 2 years from the date of delivery. Extended warranty packages, tied into preventative maintenance servicing are also available.
Unmatched technical support
Technical and application support is both comprehensive and free throughout the lifetime of our products. It is provided by highly experienced support staff who pride themselves in providing personal and responsive assistance via on-site visits, video calls, or email and will 'go the extra mile' to ensure that our users can extract the very best value and opportunity from our products.
Rationale for 'Hypoxic' Cell Culture
Cells react in different ways both metabolically and morphologically depending on the environmental factors maintaining and interacting with them.
In tissue culture, faithfully reproducing the in vivo cellular environment is vital for meaningful analysis of both cell metabolism and cell function.
Cells in vivo experience oxygen concentrations in the range of 5 – 80 mmHg (approx. 0.5 – 10% oxygen), depending on the tissue type. Yet in vitro cell biology is typically performed in incubators in which cells are exposed to atmospheric levels of oxygen (21%), a 'hyperoxic' state for most cell types. In other words, the oxygen concentration typically encountered by cells in traditional incubators is 2 - 20 times that experienced in living tissues!
Maintaining cells in such an oxygen-rich environment can have profound implications on cell metabolism, as illustrated by the large body of scientific evidence surrounding the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) pathways.
The HypoxyLab™ reproduces physiological conditions in cell-based research by delivering a contamination-free tissue culture environment that offers precise control of oxygen, CO2, temperature, and humidity. And it does so in a remarkably compact and ergonomic form-factor that offers unmatched ease-of-use and economical gas consumption.
Meanwhile, it is the partial pressure of oxygen, not merely the proportion of oxygen in the environment (% oxygen) that cells in culture actually ‘see’. HypoxyLab adopts this fundamental scientific principle and controls the chamber environment using the partial pressure of oxygen (pO2) expressed in units of mmHg or kPa.
Since the partial pressure of oxygen varies not only with oxygen concentration but also with altitude and prevailing atmospheric pressure, this scientifically rigorous approach substantially enhances HypoxyLab’s accuracy relative to other hypoxia chambers and workstations that rely on % oxygen concentration control alone.
Furthermore, this approach addresses a secondary shortcoming affecting traditional hypoxic/physoxic workstations in use today: reproducibility. By intrinsically correcting for both altitude and atmospheric pressure, data generated by one HypoxyLab user can ALWAYS be directly compared to data generated by another HypoxyLab user, wherever they may be situated.
Optional add-ons
OxyLite™
Oxygen monitor for in situ dissolved oxygen measurements
CD-44 targeted nanoparticles for combination therapy in an in vitro model of triple-negative breast cancer: Targeting the tumour inside out (2025). Gómez-Pastor S, Maugard A, et al., and Ruiz A. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces
Zygotic activin A is dispensable for the mouse preimplantation embryo development and for the derivation and pluripotency of embryonic stem cells (2025). Winek E, Wolińska-Nizioł L, et al., and Suwińska A. Biol Reprod
Eplerenone, a mineralocorticoid receptor inhibitor, reduces cirrhosis associated changes of hepatocyte glucose and lipid metabolism (2024). Mohib MM, Rabe S, et al., and Schreier B. Cell Commun Signal
Effect of hypoxia on Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane conductance Regulator channel corrected by Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor (2024). Pascarel K, Colas J, et al., and Vandebrouck C. Medical Research Archives
Arasimowicz-Jelonek, M, Floryszak-Wieczorek, J, Suarez, S et al., and Żywicki M (2023). Discovery of endogenous nitroxyl as a new redox player in Arabidopsis thaliana. Nat Plant
User Testimonials
“The HypoxyLab has been a great addition to our laboratory. It’s very easy to use, making it straightforward to achieve accurate and consistent levels of hypoxia, has a small footprint and uses less gas than most other workstations.”
Dr Dan Peet, Associate Professor at the School of Biological Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Australia
“Working with the HypoxyLab is great. It is reliable, easy to use and requires quite little gas (as compared to larger chambers). Especially the possibility of using pre-defined oxygenation profiles is an important additional benefit. During these profiles the composition of the gas is changed rapidly and the actual gas fractions are well documented continuously. This feature allows interesting hypoxia/re-oxygenation experiments.” Prof. Oliver Thews, Faculty of Medicine, Martin-Luther-University, Halle-Wittenberg, Germany
“The experience with the HypoxyLab has been great. It’s footprint is very small, a distinct advantage. The quality of technical support/service available is unmatched. Issues have been addressed by Oxford Optronix very swiftly and accurately along with a very personalized service.” Dr. Anurag Kulkarni, Department of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK
Specifications
Gas control
3 channel gas mixer controlled by a Model Predictive Control (MPC) algorithm
Gases
Air, Nitrogen, CO2 (1-4 bar inlet pressure)
Contamination control
Integrated HEPA filtration
Chamber working volume
approx. 130L
Chamber working area
approx. 500 mm (W) x 390 mm (D)
Chamber storage capacity
up to 40 multi-well plates or 10 cm Petri dishes (assumes 2 shelf units; excludes storage on chamber floor)
Maximum gas flow rate
15L/minute/gas
Enclosure (removable)
Polyethylene terephthalate G (PET-G)
Transfer hatch
‘Easy-Entry’ letterbox with internal flap (usable dimensions 204 mm (W) x 88 mm (H))
OxyLite thru-gland
1 x integrated thru-gland for OxyLite oxygen sensor
Waste port
1 x integrated stainless steel 6 mm waste port pass-thru (for vacuum line)
Display
High contrast 800 x 480 pixel LCD touchscreen
External USB ports
1 x Type A (data recording and firmware upgrades) ; 1 x Type mini-B (pass-thru for internal USB port)
Internal, powered USB port
Integrated
Power
110 – 240V AC 50/60 Hz, 500W max
External dimensions
Width 590 mm, Depth 690 mm, Height 800 mm
Weight
28 Kg / 62 lbs
Operating temperature range (external)
15 – 30 °C
Oxygen control method
MPC using an optical oxygen sensor
Oxygen control range
1 – 175 mmHg (0.1 - 23%); user programmable via touchscreen
PI control algorithm using a band-gap temperature sensor
Temp control range
Ambient +5°C (min 20°C) – 42 °C; user programmable via touchscreen
Temp calibration
Pre-calibrated, none required
Temp accuracy
± 0.5 °C
Temp resolution
0.1 °C
Temp gradient across chamber
± 0.5 °C
Humidity control method
Modified PI control algorithm using a capacitive RH sensor
Humidity calibration
Pre-calibrated, none required
Humidity control range
Ambient – 85% RH; user programmable via touchscreen
Humidity accuracy
± 2.5% RH
Humidity resolution
1% RH
*Specifications subject to change without notice
Frequently Asked Questions
What is HypoxyLab™? HypoxyLab is a cell culture incubator and hands-on workstation that accurately mimics and maintains true physiological oxygen conditions, as well as maintaining temperature, humidity and CO2 conditions like any standard cell culture incubator.
How does HypoxyLab™ differ from other hypoxia workstations? The HypoxyLab is sufficiently compact to fit on an ordinary laboratory bench, does not require the use of a dedicated transfer hatch, and comes fitted from the factory with built-in HEPA filtration, active humidification control, and an oxygen profiling feature. Additionally, the HypoxyLab regulates its oxygen environment using the partial pressure of oxygen (in mmHg) for the ultimate in scientifically rigorous oxygen control precision.
Why mmHg instead of % oxygen? Using the partial pressure of oxygen to control the oxygen environment within HypoxyLab is simply the more scientifically rigorous thing to do! Since atmospheric (barometric) pressure changes with weather patterns, as well as with laboratory altitude, so does the oxygen concentration if it is merely maintained as a percentage thereof. Instead, HypoxyLab uses the partial pressure of oxygen to compensate for barometric pressure, ensuring that cells cultured within it 'experience' a consistent oxygen concentration whatever the weather and laboratory location. It ensures that data generated in HypoxyLab can be compared with and/or accurately reproduced by any other HypoxyLab user around the world.
How do I get items in and out of the system? Cell culture plates, medium, pipettors and other objects can be moved in an out of the HypoxyLab via the simple to operate easy-entry hatch at the front, or can be placed in the chamber prior to the start of the experiment by simply lifting off the whole enclosure cover.
How does the entry hatch prevent ambient oxygen from entering the HypoxyLab™? Opening of the hatch is accompanied by a transient internal overpressure generated by injecting nitrogen. This completely prevents ingress of external air in most scenarios. Only under extreme hypoxia, or where the hatch is opened for an unusually long time, will a small oxygen transient be observable. If so, this is eliminated within 2-3 minutes, ensuring no adverse effects on cell cultures.
Do I need to wear gloves to operate HypoxyLab? There is no requirement per se for the operator to wear gloves, however, as with all cell culture work, wearing gloves represents good laboratory practice.
How can I clean the HypoxyLab™? The HypoxyLab can be easily cleaned/disinfected using 70% ethanol or hydrogen peroxide based surface cleaners by removing the enclosure cover to expose all internal surfaces.
What gases are required to operate HypoxyLab™? HypoxyLab requires a source of 3 gases, namely 100% nitrogen, 100% CO2, and synthetic air (typically 20% oxygen, balanced in nitrogen). If the oxygen profiling feature or rapid increases in internal oxygen are not a requirement, the HypoxyLab can optionally operate on just CO2 and nitrogen alone. All gases should be laboratory grade (99.98% / 'N3.8' or better) and must be supplied at an inlet pressure of between 1 - 5 bar (15 - 70 PSI).
Is the user protected from substances inside the HypoxyLab™? No. While the HypoxyLab features a built-in HEPA filter that continuously ‘scrubs’ the internal atmosphere, the system does vent externally. The HypoxyLab is NOT therefore a substitute for a fume cupboard or a biological safety cabinet.
How clean is the internal environment? The built-in HEPA filtration system achieves an atmosphere equivalent to ISO 14644-1 Class 2 within a few minutes of power-up, helping to protect cultures and media from the risk of contamination.
Can I measure dissolved oxygen levels directly from within my cell cultures? Yes. The HypoxyLab features a built-in gland that supports the introduction through the enclosure of our optional OxyLite™ fibre-optic dissolved oxygen sensors. These can provide a reading of dissolved oxygen in units of mmHg, directly from media or cell cultures within the chamber.
Does the user need to be standing to operate the HypoxyLab™? The system can be operated standing up or from a seated position. A height-adjustable stool is recommended for seated operation.
What is the typical nitrogen consumption rate of the HypoxyLab™? Nitrogen consumption is extremely dependent on the conditions being maintained and the usage ‘profile’ being employed. Typically, a standard (50L) laboratory gas cylinder of compressed nitrogen can be expected to support 2-6 weeks of continuous use.
Do I have access to the trace data displayed on the touchscreen? Yes. Trace data are automatically and continuously stored to internal memory and can be copied to USB media at any time. Data are written in a format compatible with LabChart Reader software, a free viewer from ADInstruments.
