Wageningen, 5 October 2004 - Noldus Information Technology today announced the release of PhenoTyper®, a novel system for automated behavioral phenotyping of mice in a home cage environment. PhenoTyper represents the first integrated video-based system for high-throughput behavioral observation, capable of testing multiple domains of the animal’s behavior in an enriched environment during multiple days, without any human intervention.

The rise of gene technology has driven the mouse into the post-genomic era as the unparalleled animal model for research in behavioral neuroscience. Unfortunately, conventional testing of mice phenotypes has not been able to keep up with the rapid growth of genetically engineered mouse lines. More specifically, the use of test batteries is a very labor-intensive operation causing low throughput of mutagenesis programs. Low throughput is often circumvented by applying a limited number of behavioral tests with the result of analyzing only specific behavioral traits. Since a targeted gene mutation can have unexpected outcomes on the phenotype, this poses a serious problem for optimal exploration of single gene expression (or a drug compound). Also, because of their time-consuming nature, current tests are typically very short and carried out at arbitrary moments during the animal’s day-night cycle. Furthermore, current test protocols involve frequent transfer of animals from their home cage to highly artificial test arenas, which induces stress and interferes with the measurements.

PhenoLab has been designed to solve these problems. A PhenoLab setup integrates one or multiple PhenoTyper® cages with a computer running EthoVision®, the proven software for video tracking and behavior recognition. The PhenoTyper cage provides a robust and conditioned test environment, independent of ambient light levels and animal fur color. Programmable light and sound stimuli allow researchers to create a variety of test protocols. The modular wall design includes ventilation as well as food and water dispensers. Mice are allowed to move freely in an enriched home cage environment, including nest material and a shelter. The complete behavioral repertoire of each mouse is automatically observed whereby data on temporal and spatial patterns of behavior are collected, for days on end. Long-term patterns of behavior (e.g. circadian rhythms) can thus be taken into account. The data can be analyzed in further detail using extensive analysis options allowing researchers to comprehensively evaluate gene expression (or a drug compound) with minimum effort.

With PhenoLab, Noldus Information Technology, in close collaboration with scientists at Utrecht University, has put behavioral testing firmly in the information era. Professor Berry Spruijt, who pioneered the concept of automated video observation in the home cage in the 90s, and who leads the PhenoTyper validation studies at Utrecht University, comments “PhenoLab represents a genuine breakthrough by providing fully automated, high-throughput screening of behavioral phenotypes in an enriched environment. It finally becomes possible to perform detailed behavioral phenotyping for extended periods of time, devoid of the problems associated with conventional test batteries.”

The international launch of the new product will take place at the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience in San Diego, USA, 24-27 October 2004 (www.sfn.org). Besides ongoing demonstrations in the Noldus Information Technology booth (#1630), validation studies will be presented during a special symposium “Novel Approaches in Behavioral Phenotyping” on 25 October.

For more information, please contact the PhenoLab product manager.