Tagging of Laboratory Mice with Microtransponders

项目描述（由申请人提供）：本项目的目的是开发一种用于跟踪老鼠的新型RFID标签系统。它是基于PharmaSeq激光激活微应答器，也被称为“p-Chip”。它的主要优点是体积小（5005m x 5005m x 1005m），单片（一个零件）设计，惰性（硅基），易于使用和非常低的成本。不需要对小鼠进行麻醉。该系统由标签本身、标签读取器和p-Chips注入器组成。p-Chips被迅速植入老鼠尾巴的皮肤下面。为了识别动物，操作人员只需将一个读取器带到植入的p-Chip附近，ID就会自动获取并传输到计算机上。该软件进一步将特定小鼠的ID与其在实验程序和/或繁殖历史中的作用相关的数据联系起来。该项目的主要目标是：(1)对注入器进行一些改进，使其易于使用，并制造更多的单元；(2)进行动物实验，包括免疫活性和免疫抑制小鼠的生物相容性；(3)修改现有p-Chip/ID阅读器系统，包括数字板和软件；(4)重新设计p-Chip/接收器系统，使其工作在更高的频率（315 MHz）。该系统将在内部进行彻底测试，并与外部实验室合作。用p-Chips标记将提高跟踪实验对象的可靠性，防止昂贵的错误，包括由于无法读取的标记和丢失的标签而导致的返工。

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.