Case Studies

Phenotyping Mouse Models

The rapid growth of systems biology approaches in preclinical research, such as whole-genome sequencing and genome editing, has contributed to the need for high-throughput and reproducible phenotypic screening of genetically engineered animals. The relationship between genotype and phenotype is complex: targeted genes of interest interact with background genes and unknown mutations, as well as epigenetic and environmental factors, to exert specific or collective effects on health and behavior.  

Read more

PDF / 0.8 MB

MRL/lpr Model of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

We hypothesize that continuous monitoring of behavioral and physiological parameters will provide additional meaningful data to assess disease and efficacy in genetic rodent models of disease, including SLE. To address this hypothesis, the objectives of this study were: 1) To investigate behavioral and physiological characteristics of MRL/lpr mice using a low-touch, continuous monitoring platform, and 2) To evaluate and compare the effects of standard of care (SOC) compounds on conventional disease measures as well as behavioral and physiological phenotypes in MRL/lpr mice.

Read more

PDF / 1.4 MB

Mouse Model of Liver Toxicity

We hypothesize that continuous monitoring of behavioral and physiological parameters will provide clinically relevant data to assess disease in induction rodent models, including the Con A- induced mouse model of liver disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate behavioral and physiological characteristics of Con A-induced mice using different doses of Con A.

Read more

PDF / 0.8 MB

Development of the Digital Arthritis Index

Despite a broad spectrum of anti-arthritic drugs currently on the market, there is a constant demand to develop improved therapeutic agents. Efficient compound screening and rapid evaluation of treatment efficacy in animal models of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can accelerate the development of clinical candidates. Compound screening by evaluation of disease phenotypes in animal models facilitates preclinical research by enhancing understanding of human pathophysiology; however, there is still a continuous need to improve methods for evaluating disease.

Read more at Frontiers in Pharmacology

Tech Notes

Motion Metric

Measurement of overall motion, as well as specific subtypes of activity such as circadian rhythms and particular aspects of locomotion, can be used as an integrated readout for tracking disease progression. Vium's platform enables motion tracking of subjects non-invasively and is used as a measure to track disease progression and treatment in a variety of animal models.

Read more

PDF / 2 MB

Breathing Rate

Measuring changes in breathing rate can lead to the early detection of disease and is key in evaluating the safety profile of novel therapeutics. A range of conditions including exercise, stress, lung disorders, cardiovascular disease, metabolic acidosis, drug overdose, and central nervous system abnormalities can all manifest in detectable alterations in breathing rate.

Read more

PDF / 0.7 MB

Running Wheel Metric

The Vium Digital Vivarium Platform offers two different types of activity metrics, which allow researchers to dissociate overall physical activity and voluntary activity: the Vium Motion metric and the Vium Percentage (%) Time Running on Wheel metric. The Vium Motion metric measures overall activity, which is comprised of both voluntary and involuntary motor movements, including wheel running, asa well as a wide range of complex behaviors, such as eating drinking and grooming. In contrast, the Vium % Time Running on Wheel metric specifically captures free running on the wheel, which accounts for voluntary activity. A number of factors are known to differentially alter overall physical activity and voluntary wheel running activity.

Read more

PDF / 0.9 MB

Arthritis Index™

The Vium Arthritis Index enables researchers to evaluate the efficacy and safety of therapeutic interventions in rodent models of RA through near realtime measurements and data analysis. Our use of physiological measurements combined with advanced analytics provides a highly sensitive readout of arthritis induction, as well as clinically relevant measures of therapeutic response.  

Read more

PDF / 0.5 MB

Brochures

The Digital Vivarium

An overview of the Vium Digital Vivarium including our Smart Housing, Research Suite, and Discovery Lab Vivarium.

Read more

PDF / 9.3 MB

Case Studies

Case studies on animal models run using the Vium Digital Vivarium

Read more

PDF / 4 MB

Digital Metrics

Overviews of our innovative Digital Metrics and research done using the Digital Vivarium

Read more

PDF / 5 MB

Scientific Posters

aq_block_31

Gene Therapy Efficacy Assessment in Batten Mice Using the Vium Digital Vivarium


Developed in conjunction with the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. 

CLN2 disease, a form of Batten disease, is a neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorder caused by mutations in the gene encoding the soluble enzyme tripeptidyl- peptidase-1 (TPP1). This model recapitulates most features of the human disease such as shortened lifespan, seizures, or abnormal gait. Monitoring of the neurobehavioral function in this model is challenging, however, as they are prone to noise- or stress-induced fatal seizures when handled. Real time non-invasive continuous monitoring using smart cages (Vium, Inc.) allows sensitive and non-biased recording of disease phenotype and treatment-related rescue in a seizure-prone mouse model, while limiting handling-related deaths.

Download

Background Image

Vium Smart Housing™ (PDF)  

Presented at the AALAS NCB Annual Symposium

MS Drug Efficacy Assessment (PDF) 

Presented at Neuroscience 2016

Automated Disease Assessment in Graft versus Host Disease (PDF)

Presented at World Preclinical Congress 2017