Location: Centro di Biomedicina Sperimentale – CNR
Lab head: Prof. Alberto Giannoni
Contact: paola.tognini@santannapisa.it
Lab Team
Alberto Giannoni
Professore Associato
Health Science Interdisciplinary Center
Claudio Passino
Professore Ordinario
Health Science Interdisciplinary Center
Paola Tognini
Assistant Professor
Health Science Interdisciplinary Center
Lab Mission
The mission of the CHRONO Lab is to advance our understanding of the complex interactions between the brain, heart, and other physiological systems, focusing on the mechanisms of autonomic control and their role in health and disease. The lab conducts experimental studies on animal models (rodents), in collaboration with the SleepLab, which extends these findings to human subjects. By utilizing state-of-the art equipment for recording and analyzing biological signals—including ventilation, respiratory gases, transesophageal pressure, electroencephalography, and electromyography—the lab enables comprehensive research on breathing, autonomic control, and microneurographic recordings.
Devices
TSE PhenoMaster system
The TSE PhenoMaster system metabolic cage is an advanced device used in scientific research to monitor and analyze various physiological and behavioral parameters of mice. It is is ideal for studies related to pharmacology, nutrition, obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and other pathologies. It also include food, drink and body weight monitoring.
Main Features:
Metabolic Respiratory gas measurement (indirect calorimetry): The cage is equipped with advanced sensors that measure food and water intake, as well as the energy expended by the animal, by monitoring respiratory gases (O₂ and CO₂). These measurements allow for precise study of the mouse’s energy metabolism without disturbing the animal during the experiment.
Locomotor activity and physical exercise: The system also includes tools for behavioral monitoring, such as sensors to detect movement, sleep, and the animal’s position. This provides detailed data on daily activities, such as physical exercise, locomotion, and exploratory behavior.
Customization and Specific Applications: The system configuration can be customized to meet the specific needs of the study, allowing integration with other tools or devices (such as infusion pumps, EEG monitoring, etc.) for even more detailed information.
Data sheet: download
Note: to use the Stellar Telemetry System is necessary to have the official training and governmental documentation for mouse model handling, approved ehtical protocol. Contact Paola Tognini for interest in using the instrument.
TSE Telemetry Stellar
Stellar Telemetry represents the latest technology advancements in implantable physiologic monitoring. The system allows monitoring of many animals with just one receiver and facilitates group housing and social interaction. Stellar implants can be used in animal models ranging from mice to dogs and larger animals and in a wide range of research studies including phenotyping, pharmacology, behavior, metabolic, and general physiology assessment. Stellar memory implants are supported in the Notocord-hem and Biopac AcqKnowledge software. Stellar real- time implants are supported in the Notocord software. The SleepSign software (from Biopac) can also be used with Biopac or EDF files for EEG/sleep assessment.
Example of Disease models:
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Sleep disorders
- Epilepsy/seizures
- Cognitive disorders
- Metabolic syndrome
- Diabetes
- Ocular disorde
Data sheet: download
Note: to use the Stellar Telemetry System is necessary to have the official training and governmental documentation for mouse model handling, approved ehtical protocol for this type of implant in mouse models, to be proficient in surgery on mouse models, to purchase the Stellar Implantable Transmitter (Type PBBTA-XS-C Pressure, Dual-Biopotential, Temp, Activity, Unit cost excluding VAT 2.517,90). Contact Paola Tognini if interested in using the instrument.
EMKA VivoFlow+ Technology
LvivoFlow is an advanced plethysmograph system designed for measuring respiratory parameters in conscious, unrestrained animals, such as mice, rats, and guinea pigs. It provides a simple, proven method for studying respiration in freely moving subjects, with the ability to measure flow, volume, respiratory rate over long-duration experiments (up to 24 hours).
Key Features:
- No preliminary surgery required, ensuring minimal stress for the animal.
- Ideal for long-term, non-invasive respiration studies without interfering with the animal’s behavior.
- Simple setup: place the animal in the chamber and begin measurements.
- Real-time monitoring of parameters like frequency, inspiration time, volume, and flow.
- Detects bronchoconstriction and apnea events, providing detailed respiratory analysis.
- Includes cough detection through pressure fluctuation and sound track analysis.
- The system is comprised of a plethysmograph, a microphone, and a software analyzer for comprehensive data analysis.
The vivoFlow system is perfect for efficiently screening large numbers of animals while ensuring their comfort and well-being throughout extended studies.
Data sheet: download
Note: to use the Stellar Telemetry System is necessary to have the official training and governmental documentation for mouse model handling, approved ehtical protocol. Contact Paola Tognini if interested in using the instrument.