Tagging of Laboratory Mice with Microtransponders

项目描述：本项目的目的是开发一种新型的用于跟踪老鼠的RFID标签系统。它基于PharmaSeq激光激活微应答器，也称为“p-Chip”。它的主要优点是体积小（500 5 m x 500 5 m x 100 5 m），单片（一部分）设计，惰性（硅基），易于使用和成本非常低。不需要对小鼠进行麻醉。该系统由标签本身、标签读取器和用于p芯片的注射器组成。p-Chip被迅速植入小鼠尾巴的皮下。为了识别动物，操作员只需将读取器带到植入的p-Chip附近，然后自动获取ID并将其传输到计算机。该软件还将特定小鼠的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。该项目的主要目标是：（1）对注射器的易用性进行几项改进，并制造更多的装置;（2）进行动物研究，包括免疫活性小鼠和免疫抑制小鼠的生物相容性;（3）修改现有的p-Chip/ID读取器系统，包括数字板和软件;以及（4）重新设计p芯片/接收机系统以工作在更高频率（315 MHz）。该系统将在内部并与外部实验室合作进行彻底测试。用p-Chips标记将通过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）来提高跟踪实验对象的可靠性。 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 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.