Mouse Phenotyping FacilityServices

First, general health and basic sensori-motor function screening are performed to detect the presence of any early neurological/behavioural abnormalities exhibited by the mouse related to its genotype.

The first line screening includes:

• Modified SHIRPA test (protocol) - room 10
• Grip strength (Bioseb, protocol)  - room 10
• Open field (TSE/Biobserve, protocol)
• Home cage activity (TSE) - room 4
• Rotating optokinetic drum - room 5, 6, or 7
• Y maze (protocol) - room 5, 6, or 7

Motor coordination and balance

• Rotarod (TSE, protocol) - room 10
• Beam Walking - room 10
• Gaiting - room 10
• Swim ability test (protocol) - room 10
• Ladder walking - room 10
• Treadmill (Panlab) - room 10

For further screening of complex emotional phenotypes, the following tests may be used.

Anxiety/depression-related behaviour

• Elevated plus maze - room 5, 6, or 7
• Light/Dark transition box - room 5, 6, or 7
• Free exploration - room 5, 6, or 7
• Tail suspension test (protocol) - room 5, 6, or 7
• Forced swim test - room 5, 6, or 7

Advanced tests will be selected based on scored observations and previous tests.

Learning and Memory

• MWM task (Biobserve) - room 5
• Radial Maze task - room 5
• Hole-board task - room 5, 6, or 7
• Conditioned place preference test - room 5, 6, or 7
• Object recognition test - room 5, 6, or 7
• Fear conditioning (Coulbourn/Med-Associates)
• 3 choice serial reaction time test (Med-Associates) - room 1
• Vogel test (Med-Associates) - room 1
• Passive avoidance task (Med-Associates)

Pain studies

• Tail flick (Ugo Basile, protocol) - room 2
•  Dynamic plantar aesthesiometer (Ugo Basile) - room 2
• Hot/Cold plate sensitivity test (Ugo Basile) - room 2

Social interactions

• Aggressive behaviour - room 5, 6, or 7
• Sexual behaviour - room 5, 6, or 7
• Maternal behaviour - room 5, 6, or 7

Home Cage Phenotyping (multifunctional behavioural system)

• Intellicage System (Newbehaviour) - room 4

Cardiovascular

• ECG using the telemetry system (DSI) - room 3
• Vevo 2100 High resolution imaging system (Visualsonics, protocol) - surgery room

In addition to behavioural phenotyping, neurochemical screening shall also be performed in the future using in vivo microdialysis with HPLC and electrochemical detection for measuring neurotransmitters in freely moving mice.