650A: Real-Time Muscle Data Acquisition and Analysis Software
The 650A software was designed to enable physiology researchers to study the dynamic mechanical characteristics of muscle tissue. The software seamlessly integrates with all Aurora hardware products including: 315D/322D high-speed length controllers, 400C force transducers, 700A stimulators, 800 series apparatus and 900 series sarcomere length and calcium fluorescence systems. The 650A software can also be used with other manufacturer’s instruments. A unique feature of the software is its force and sarcomere length control capability. This unique control mode can generate critically damped step changes in force or sarcomere length in as little as 1.0 millisecond.
The software has an easy-to-use graphical user interface and is written using the C programming language. The software collects high-resolution length and force data while controlling the length and force of the muscle tissue under test. Collected data can then be plotted and analyzed within the program. The 650A software also includes a real-time scrolling display of the current length and force. This scrolling display can be frozen at any time and then up to four hours of data can be reviewed.
The 650A software is a real-time program, meaning it can act as the master timer for entire muscle physiology experiments. This ensures that data acquisition and control tasks can be done with a timing accuracy of better than 10µs (regardless of what other programs and processes are being run on the computer at the same time). This is not the case with other operating systems such as Windows or Apple.
650A software includes a powerful protocol editor which allows the researcher to easily control and acquire data during the simplest experiments or the most complicated ones. The included sequencer allows multiple protocols to be easily chained together with powerful timing controls creating automated experiments. Automation ensures the experiment is run correctly every time, freeing up lab personnel to perform analysis while the experiment is running.
Stories of Success
650A – Software and Support Enables Smooth Muscle Fiber Research
CHALLENGE
In 2012 Dr. Robert Moreland and his lab were studying smooth muscle and how its dynamic contractile properties are regulated. The lab had planned a number of experiments to study vascular and bladder smooth muscle fibers and were familiar with Aurora Scientific equipment. However, the function of smooth muscle is quite unique and it became apparent very quickly that to measure contraction velocity of the fibers, a powerful software with complex protocols would need to be written.
SOLUTION
The Aurora Scientific 650A proved to be the answer. The system acts as a digital controller to acquire data from a number of instruments, but also serves as a way to control the force and length of the tissue being tested. Due to the phasic nature of the tissue, indicated by unpredictable changes in resting tension, a control system and software capable of controlling force in real time was absolutely essential. After writing custom protocols and providing remote and on-site support, these complex experiments became possible to perform.
RESULTS
Dr. Moreland’s graduate student was able to complete her thesis work on time and the data obtained with the test system factored greatly in her work. The system is still an integral part of the lab and Aurora Scientific continues to work closely with Dr. Moreland and his students. The support staff also learned a great deal about smooth muscle and enjoyed the challenges of writing protocols that would result in consistent and reliable measurement data.
Select References
- Bagni, M. Angela et al “The effects of fatigue and oxidation on contractile function of intact muscle fibers and myofibrils isolated from the mouse diaphragm.” Scientific Reports (2019) DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-39353-5
- Kazmierczak K. et al. “Slow-twitch skeletal muscle defects accompany cardiac dysfunction in transgenic mice with a mutation in the myosin regulatory light chain.” The FASEB Journal (2019) DOI: 10.1096/fj.201801402R
- Robbins N. et al. “Probenecid Improves Cardiac Function in Patients With Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction In Vivo and Cardiomyocyte Calcium Sensitivity In Vitro.” Journal of the American Heart Association (2018) DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.117.007148
- Ijpma, Gijs et al. “Human trachealis and main bronchi smooth muscle are normoresponsive in asthma.” American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2015) DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201407-1296OC
- Brynnel et al. “Downsizing the molecular spring of the giant protein titin reveals that skeletal muscle titin determines passive stiffness and drives longitudinal hypertrophy” eLife (2018) DOI: 10.7554/eLife.40532
- McNamara, James W. et al. “Cardiac myosin binding protein-C phosphorylation regulates the super-relaxed state of myosin.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2019) DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1821660116
- Bagni, M. Angela et al “The effects of fatigue and oxidation on contractile function of intact muscle fibers and myofibrils isolated from the mouse diaphragm.” Scientific Reports (2019) DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-39353-5
- Kazmierczak K. et al. “Slow-twitch skeletal muscle defects accompany cardiac dysfunction in transgenic mice with a mutation in the myosin regulatory light chain.” The FASEB Journal (2019) DOI: 10.1096/fj.201801402R
- Robbins N. et al. “Probenecid Improves Cardiac Function in Patients With Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction In Vivo and Cardiomyocyte Calcium Sensitivity In Vitro.” Journal of the American Heart Association (2018) DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.117.007148
- Ijpma, Gijs et al. “Human trachealis and main bronchi smooth muscle are normoresponsive in asthma.” American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine (2015) DOI: 10.1164/rccm.201407-1296OC
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Learn MoreSpecifications
| Software Specifications | 650A |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Linux – RTAI, real-time |
| Companion Software | 602A, 802D, 820A, 901D, 950A |
| Data Channels Recorded | Length, Force, Sarcomere Length, Stimulation Timing, Auxiliary 1, Auxiliary 21 |
| Aurora Scientific Instruments Controlled |
300 series length controllers, 400 series force transducers, 700 series stimulators, 800 series apparatus, 901D HVSL sarcomere length |
| Main Window | Elapsed Time, Time since Last Stimulus, Length and Force Readouts. Display: graph of test results as they are collected. Buttons for: Start Sequence, Start Test, Next Test, Stop Test and Zero Lout. Dropdown menus: File, Edit, Calibrate, Setup, Protocol, Analysis, Scope, Burst and Help. |
| Protocol Functions | Length: Step, Ramp, Square, Sine, Sweep, Sample, Hold Force: Step, Ramp, Square, Sine, Sweep, Sample, Hold, Clamp Sarcomere Length: Step, Ramp, Sample, Hold, Trigger, Track Stimulation: Stimulus, Trigger 1, Trigger 2 Control: Sync Stimulus, Data Enable, Data Disable, Data Burst, Trigger FLA, Bath, Repeat, Stop |
| Stimulation Control | Automatic stimulation control – frequency (Hz. or BPM), pulse width, pulse duration |
| Sequencer | Allows protocols to be run in a pre-determined manner with control of time between each protocol |
| Scope Data Display | Real-time data output of chosen channels. Displays up to 4 hours of data – zoom function, time base control, pause function |
| Analysis | Load last data or saved data Display: Length, Force, Velocity, dF/dt, SL, Aux1, Aux2 Set Display Units: Length [um, mm, cm, Lo, Lf, volts], Force [mN, N, gm, kg, Fmax, Pa, kPa, volts], Time [ms, s] Plot Zoom Controls: enter start and end time or use cursor to click zoom Data Filter: Savitsky-Golay smoothing filter, length (1-16) |
| Export Analysis | Creates ASCII data files of the data presented on the Analysis window |
1 = Auxiliary Channels: can be configured to suit, common usages are: Experimental monitors: Temperature, pH, Fluorescence: Numerator, Denominator