Digitized caging system for rodent behavioral core: enhanced monitoring, efficient operations, and improved rigor and reproducibility

The National Institutes of Health Office of the Director awarded $350,000 to Seattle Children's Hospital (doing business as Seattle Children's Research Institute) on September 1, 2026, under the Research Infrastructure Programs (CFDA 93.351) to purchase a digital ventilated cage system from Tecniplast for the Behavioral Phenotyping Core vivarium.

The DVC system incorporates continuous, real-time monitoring of animal activity and environmental cage parameters including temperature, humidity, water levels, and food levels, with automated notifications to personnel when critical thresholds are reached. The system enables non-invasive collection of behavioral data from rodent models, reduces animal husbandry overhead costs through on-demand rather than batch cage changes, and decreases animal stress by minimizing handling frequency. The technology maintains the same physical footprint as traditional cage rack systems while enhancing rigor and reproducibility of behavioral phenotyping data collected within the core facility.

The award funds equipment acquisition and runs through August 31, 2027. Place of performance is Seattle, WA 98101. This project grant supports the institute's newly built, 3,000-square-foot behavioral phenotyping facility dedicated to collecting reproducible and accurate behavioral data from animal models for translational biomedical research.

Abstract

The collection of reproducible and accurate behavioral data from animal models is vital for translational biomedical research as IT drives predictions for how humans may respond to newly developed therapies. In alignment with its commitment to excellence and innovation, the seattle children's research institute (SCRI) has built the behavioral phenotyping core (BPC) to further bolster and support its research capabilities. The BPC is a brand new, 3,000 square foot, state-of-the- art facility dedicated to the collection of behavioral data from animal models. This proposal aims to enhance the research efforts of the BPC by requesting funding to purchase a digital ventilated cage (DVC®) system from tecniplast for the BPC vivarium. This innovative cage system incorporates cutting-edge technology to enable real-time, continuous monitoring of animal activity and environmental cage parameters which will drastically reduce overhead costs for animal husbandry and improve rigor and reproducibility of the behavioral data collected within the BPC. The DVC® system is pioneering animal welfare solution that enhances research efforts while maintaining the same footprint as traditional cage rack systems. Features include continuous environmental monitoring which ensures optimal conditions for cage temperature, humidity, and animal bedding. Water and food levels are monitored in real time and notifications are delivered to personnel when levels become critical. This combination of features maximizes the efficiency of the BPC by allowing cages to be changed on an as needed basis (rather than batch changed) which, in turn, reduces animal stress and resources and personnel required for animal care. The DVC® system's integration of non-invasive sensors allows for the automatic collection of animal activity data. This data is collected directly from the animals' home cages, making IT highly ethologically relevant. This type of data is invaluable as IT complements existing behavioral measures while also minimizing unnecessary human intervention. All environmental and activity data are synchronized, analyzed, and readily exportable to investigators via the included and integrated software. The acquisition of the innovative DVC® system by tecniplast will significantly increase the research capabilities of the BPC by streamlining and standardizing animal care and improving the reproducibility of behavioral research. This aligns with the long-term goal of positioning SCRI as a leader in translational research by fostering innovation and collaboration across its different research centers thereby accelerating the discovery of novel therapeutic strategies for pediatric conditions.