Translational Digital Biomarkers Portal

Commercially available translational digital biomarker technologies.

Translational digital biomarkers are objective, quantifiable physiological and behavioral data that are collected and measured by means of digital technologies which can help researchers avoid the confounding factors related to animal handling and relocation. Technologies may be internal (e.g. injectable, ingestible) or external (e.g. wearable, camera, or electromagnetic field detector).  They are clinically relevant and translational between preclinical studies and the clinic. These biomarkers have the potential to help reduce the number of laboratory animals needed for biomedical research and refine their lives during necessary projects.

Below you can explore Translational Digital Biomarker technologies that are currently available. Use the filters below to sort the technologies by Species, usable Environment, Readouts and potential Scalability. Use the outreach buttons to contact individual technology providers for the answer to questions, inquires about products or services, and key validation and publications related to each specific TDB technology.

Translational Digital Biomarker Technologies

Species

Species

Environment

Environment

Readouts

Readouts

Scalability

Scalability

PhenoSys

ColonyRack

The ColonyRack is a next generation enriched environment. Multiple standard cages are interconnected by tubes which are monitored by RFID sensors. This allows longitudinal tracking of each animal to study individuality and behavioural variability in rodent populations under highly defined conditions. Parameters like physical fitness, sociability, hierarchical status, behavioural stereotypy, anxiety, and exploratory drive are derived from this automated home cage monitoring. Aging and frailty are only examples of relevant application areas. Novelty to the environment can be easily introduced by rearranging connections or cages. Furthermore, the habitat can be extended with additional automated test units for enhanced behavioural phenotyping.

Species:
Mouse, Rat
Environment:
Enriched environment, Experimental apparatus, Group housed animals, Home cage environment
Readouts:
General activity
Scalability:
1K+ animals

Tecniplast S.p.A.

Digital Ventilated Cage®

The DVC® is a unique home-cage monitoring system, designed for standard Tecniplast IVC cages. It offers the potential to gather data continuously, without the need for physical entry into the cages and unaffected by enrichment material. It requires only a small amount of data collection, enabling its scalability for a fully digitalized Vivarium. This system uses capacitive sensing technology offering durability, reliability and design flexibility. The DVC® has been designed to be used in any animal facility and lab since its main component, the DVC® Rack, can be easily washed and autoclaved.

Species:
Mouse
Environment:
Experimental apparatus, Group housed animals, Home cage environment, Single housed animals
Readouts:
General activity, Location travelled (distance/speed)
Scalability:
1K+ animals

Columbus Instruments

Oxymax-CLAMS

The Comprehensive Lab Animal Monitoring System (CLAMS) is an all-in-one system for simultaneous multi parameter assessment, including indirect calorimetry, activity, body mass, consumption, and more. Each system is developed on a semi-custom basis, accommodating requirements for specific experimental needs and financial constraints. High resolution sensors are incorporated to allow for data to be reviewed graphically and numerically in real-time, providing automation for experiments spanning extended durations.

Species:
Hamster, Mouse, Rat
Environment:
Experimental apparatus, Home cage environment, Single housed animals
Readouts:
Body Mass, Cognition, Consumption (food/water), General activity, Heart Rate, Location in space (vectors), Location travelled (distance/speed), Physiological (metabolism), Physiological (temperature)
Scalability:
10-25 animals, 100+ animals

Noldus Information Technology

PhenoTyper

The PhenoTyper cage is an apparatus designed for comprehensive behavioral studies in rodents. The cage is equipped with an IR camera that enables real-time, controlled tracking and analysis. Researchers can gather data on locomotion, exploration and social behavior. The PhenoTyper is used in fields like neuroscience, psychology, and drug development to understand the effects of genetic, environmental, or pharmacological factors on behavior. This technology streamlines data collection and evaluation of potential therapies/interventions.

Species:
Mouse, Rat
Environment:
Group housed animals, Home cage environment, Single housed animals
Readouts:
Cognition, Consumption (food/water), General activity, Location in space (vectors), Location travelled (distance/speed)
Scalability:
10-25 animals

Sable Systems

Promethion Core

The Promethion Core is a metabolic and behavioral phenotyping system. One, high-resolution respirometry correlates accurate energy expenditure with changes in behavior. Two, water vapor compensation enables respirometry analysis >3 days and longitudinal studies. Three, integration of high-resolution sensors measure general activity; body mass and food/liquid consumed; voluntary exercise via a running wheel; and induced exercise via a metabolic treadmill. Four, the Promethion Live software monitors the system performance in real-time, evaluates experiment progress, and reports data.

Species:
Hamster, Mouse, Rat
Environment:
Experimental apparatus, Home cage environment, Single housed animals
Readouts:
Cognition, Consumption (food/water), General activity, Location in space (vectors), Location travelled (distance/speed), Physiological (metabolism)
Scalability:
100+ animals

Unified Information Devices, Inc.

UID Rodent Matrix

The UID Rodent Matrix is an RFID reader board placed under each cage to record location, movement and temperature. The system enables noninvasive, undisturbed and continuous monitoring of group-housed rodents in a home cage setting. The data is automatically collected, and is available throughout the course of the study in real-time. The system provides a practical and flexible solution in a scalable framework to fit all needs and budgets. The system is compatible for monitoring as little as one static cage and scaling up for monitoring hundreds of cages from high-density IVC rack systems.

Species:
Gerbil, Hamster, Mouse, Rat, Vole
Environment:
Experimental apparatus, Group housed animals, Home cage environment, Single housed animals
Readouts:
General activity, Location travelled (distance/speed), Physiological (temperature)
Scalability:
1K+ animals

Have a Translational Digital Biomarker technology that you think should be displayed here? Please contact laurenyoung@na3rsc.org. We look forward to hearing from you!

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