Tagging of Laboratory Mice with Microtransponders

描述(申请人提供)：本项目的目的是开发一种新型的跟踪老鼠的RFID标签系统。它是基于PharmaSeq激光光控微应答器，也被称为“p-Chip”。它的主要优势是体积小(500 5m X 500 5m X 100 5m)，单片(一个部件)设计，惰性(硅基)，易于使用和非常低的成本。不需要对老鼠进行麻醉。该系统由标签本身、标签读取器和p芯片注入器组成。P芯片被迅速植入老鼠的尾巴，就在皮肤下面。为了识别动物，操作员只需将阅读器带到植入的p芯片附近，ID就会自动获取并传输到计算机。该软件还将特定老鼠的ID与与其在实验过程和/或繁育历史中的角色相关的数据相关联。该项目的主要目标是：(1)在易用性方面对注射器进行若干改进，并制造更多的单元；(2)进行动物研究，包括免疫活性品系和免疫抑制品系的生物兼容性；(3)修改现有的p-Chip/ID读出系统，包括数字板和软件；以及(4)重新设计p-Chip/接收器系统，以在更高的频率(315 MHz)下工作。该系统将在内部和与外部实验室合作进行彻底测试。使用p芯片标记将通过防止代价高昂的错误(包括因无法阅读的标记和丢失的标签而导致的返工)来提高对实验对象的跟踪的可靠性。 公共卫生相关性：实验室小鼠在基础研究中发挥着强大的作用，在哺乳动物遗传和生物医学研究中也发挥着关键作用。它们被普遍认为是分析和理解遗传性人类疾病的主要模型。新的PharmaSeq系统有可能极大地增加实验室小鼠的RFID标签的使用，甚至可能导致这项新技术的普遍采用，作为一种通用标签系统，可以在动物整个有用的生命周期内跟踪动物的繁殖过程。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The purpose of the present project is to develop a new type of RFID tagging system for tracking mice. It is based on the PharmaSeq laser light-activated microtransponder, also known as "p-Chip". Its major advantages are its small size (500 5m x 500 5m x 100 5m), monolithic (one part) design, inertness (silicon-based), ease of use and very low cost. No anesthetization of the mice is required. The system consists of the tag itself, the tag reader, and an injector for p-Chips. The p-Chips are rapidly implanted in a mouse's tail just under the skin. To identify the animal, the operator simply brings a reader to within the immediate proximity of the implanted p-Chip and the ID is acquired automatically and transmitted to the a computer. The software further associates the ID of a particular mouse with data related to its role in experimental procedures and/or breeding history. The main goals of the project are to: (1) make several improvements to the injector regarding the ease of use, and fabricate a larger number of units; (2) conduct animal studies including biocompatibility in immunocompetent as well as immunosuppressed strains of mice; (3) modify the existing p-Chip/ID reader system, including the digital board and software; and (4) redesign of p-Chip/receiver system to work at higher frequencies (315 MHz). The system will be thoroughly tested in-house and in collaboration with outside laboratories. Tagging with p-Chips will improve the reliability of tracking of experimental subjects by preventing 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.