Tagging of Laboratory Mice with Microtransponders

描述（由申请人提供）：本项目的目的是开发一种用于跟踪实验室小鼠的新型RFID标签系统。它基于PharmaSeq激光驱动的微应答器。它的主要优点是体积小（500 5 m x 500 5 m x 100 5 m），整体（一部分）设计，惰性（硅基）和非常低的成本。不需要对小鼠进行麻醉。该系统将由标签本身、标签阅读器和插入设备组成。微转换器将使用插入装置植入小鼠的耳朵或尾巴的皮肤下。为了读取ID，从而识别动物，操作员将简单地将ID读取器带到植入的微应答器附近，并且ID将被自动采集到计算机工作站上。软件将特定小鼠的植入MTP的ID与其在实验程序和/或育种历史中的作用相关的数据相关联。主要目标是：（1）设计和构建系统;（2）提高读取器的灵敏度，以便更容易读取植入皮肤下的微应答器的ID。计划进行几项改进，包括将更强大的激光器集成到阅读器中，改进ID检测算法，优化阅读器的拾取线圈天线;（3）开发微型应答器注射器;（4）配置工作站，将棒稳定在柔性臂上，使操作员的双手能够操作鼠标和注射微型应答器;和（5）进行初步生物相容性研究，并在不同的实验室测试系统。该系统的使用将提高跟踪实验对象的可靠性，降低成本，并防止代价高昂的错误，包括由于不可读的标记和丢失的标签而导致的返工。公共卫生相关性：实验室小鼠在基础研究中发挥着重要作用，在哺乳动物遗传和生物医学研究中发挥着关键作用。它们被普遍接受为分析和理解遗传性人类疾病的主要模型。新的PharmaSeq系统有可能大大增加RFID标签在实验室小鼠中的使用，甚至导致这种新技术作为通用标签系统的普遍采用，可以跟踪动物从繁殖到整个使用寿命。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The purpose of the present project is to develop a new type of RFID tagging system for tracking laboratory mice. It is based on the PharmaSeq laser light-powered microtransponder. Its major advantages are its small size (500 5m x 500 5m x 100 5m), monolithic (one part) design, inertness (silica-based), and very low cost. No anesthetization of the mice will be required. The system will consist of the tag itself, the tag reader, and an insertion device. The microtranponders will be implanted using the insertion device in the mouse's ear or tail just under the skin. To read the ID, thus identifying the animal, the operator will simply bring the ID reader to within the immediate proximity of the implanted microtransponder and the ID will be acquired automatically onto the computer workstation. The software will associate the ID of the implanted MTP from a particular mouse with data related to its role in experimental procedures and/or breeding history. The main goals are to: (1) Design and build the system; (2) Improve the sensitivity of the reader so that it is easier to read the IDs of microtransponders implanted under the skin. Several enhancements are planned, including integrating a more powerful laser into the reader, improvements to the ID detection algorithm, and optimization of the reader's pickup coil antenna; (3) Develop a microtransponder injector; (4) Configure a workstation to stabilize the wand on a flexible arm, freeing both of the operator's hands to manipulate the mouse and inject microtransponders; and (5) Conduct an initial biocompatibility study and test the system in different laboratories. Use of the system will improve the reliability of tracking of experimental subjects, lower costs, and prevent costly errors including rework due do unreadable markings and lost labels. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Laboratory mice play a powerful role in basic research and a key role in mammalian genetic and biomedical research. They are universally accepted as the primary model for analyzing and understanding inherited human disorders. The new PharmaSeq system has the potential to greatly increase the use of RFID tags in laboratory mice, or even to lead to the general adoption of this new technology as a universal tagging system that can track animals from breeding through their entire useful lifetime.