Agilent Seahorse analyzers quantify live-cell metabolism in real time by simultaneously measuring oxygen consumption rate (OCR) and extracellular acidification rate (ECAR). This extracellular flux technology uses integrated optical sensors and a transient microchamber above each well to detect minute changes in dissolved oxygen and pH. Built‑in injection ports add metabolic modulators during the run, enabling kinetic profiling of mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis. From a single assay, users can derive key parameters such as basal and maximal respiration, ATP‑linked respiration, proton leak, spare respiratory capacity, non‑mitochondrial respiration, basal glycolysis, glycolytic capacity/reserve, and real‑time ATP production from oxidative phosphorylation versus glycolysis.
Two formats fit different throughput needs. The 96‑well platform supports higher‑throughput studies, screens, and dose–response matrices across diverse cell types, primary cells and isolated mitochondria. The compact XF Mini 8‑well system brings the same core technology to a small footprint for rapid method development, scarce samples, or focused experiments, while preserving full kinetic resolution and on‑the‑fly reagent injections.
Seahorse assays are label‑free and noninvasive, capturing dynamic bioenergetic responses to drugs, nutrients, and stress in minutes. Common applications include mitochondrial stress testing, glycolysis stress testing, and real‑time ATP rate assays across oncology, immunometabolism, neuroscience, and cardiometabolic research—delivering actionable insights into cellular energetic phenotypes.