Tenders Are Invited For Analysers – Automated Metabolic Phenotyping System (Indirect Calorimetry) For Mice

Analysers – Automated Metabolic Phenotyping System (Indirect Calorimetry) For Mice. This Contract Relates To The Purchase, Delivery, Installation And Commissioning Of A Complete, Automated Metabolic Phenotyping System For Mice Based On Open-Circuit Indirect Calorimetry, For The Simultaneous Measurement Of At Least 12 Individually Housed Animals, Critically Including A Climate-Controlled Environmental Chamber Capable Of Temperatures Ranging From 4 °C To 35 °C And Preferably With Humidity Control, Integrated Food And Water Intake And Locomotor Activity Monitoring, Hydrogen (H₂) And Methane (Ch₄) Gas Sensing, Control And Analysis Software, Training, Warranty, Consumables And Maintenance. Explanation: The System Will Be Installed Within The Animal Facility Of The Vib-Ugent Center For Inflammation Research, Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 71, 9052 Gent, Belgium, And Will Be Available For Use By Anyone With Animals At This Location For Longitudinal Metabolic Phenotyping Of Mouse Models: Energy Expenditure (Vo₂, Vco₂, Rer, Heat Production), Substrate Utilisation, Feeding And Drinking Behaviour And Spontaneous Activity, Combined With Non-Invasive, Continuous Monitoring Of Gut-Microbial Fermentation (H₂ And Ch₄ Production), Under Controlled Temperature, Humidity And Light Conditions. In Addition To These Measurements (Always With Single-Housed Mice), The Environmental Chamber Will Also Be Used On Its Own To Keep Group-Housed Mice In Standard Home Greenline Cages, Without Metabolic Measurements, Under Controlled Conditions For Studies At Thermoneutrality And/Or On Circadian Rhythms. The Offer Must Include At Least: • A Gas Analysis System (O₂, Co₂, H₂ And Ch₄) With All Sampling, Flow Control And Air-Conditioning Components; • 12 Measurement Cages For Mice Plus At Least One Reference (Ambient Air) Channel; • Per Cage: Gravimetric Food And Water Intake Sensors, A Feeder Suitable For High-Fat/Western Diets, A Drinking Bottle And An Infrared Activity Frame And Microenvironment Monitoring; • An Environmental Chamber Housing All 12 Measurement Cages, Which Can Also Be Used On Its Own To House Group-Housed Mice In Standard Home Greenline Cages Without Measurements; • Control, Data Acquisition And Analysis Software, Including The Necessary Computer/Workstation; • Delivery, Installation, Commissioning, Calibration, On-Site User Training And The Warranty Described In These Specifications.