The TSE PhenoMaster is a uniquely flexible modular high-throughput phenotyping platform for single or up to 128 mice or rats simultaneously. It equips scientists of various different research fields with state-of-the-art technology for fully automated and perfectly synchronized metabolic, behavioural, and physiological monitoring – indirect gas calorimetry, food and liquid intake, locomotor activity, exercise, learning and memory, blood pressure, heart rate, biopotentials, and more – all these different aspects can be monitored within a single PhenoMaster system.

The home cage principle

The home cage principle was introduced by TSE Systems a decade ago. The idea behind this intriguing principle is simple – to maintain the animal in a familiar, stress-reduced environment. Housing and testing animals in stress-reduced home cage environments is not only consistent with increased awareness and respect for animal welfare, it also creates experimental conditions that increase the validity of your results.

Software

The TSE PhenoMaster Software is designed as multi-modular platform to manage and integrate information from all different hardware components. If one day however, you decide to operate one module outside the PhenoMaster (in another cage or room) as stand-alone system – no problem. To allow for maximal flexibility, each hardware module can also be operated and managed by its dedicated software package.

Key features

• Characterization of experimental animals under controlled conditions in the home cage
• Elimination of human bias
• Standardization of the environment
• Broad spectrum of available parameters
• High quality and reproducibility of data
• High throughput phenotyping by running large number of cages in paralle

Three disciplines combined in the home cage: metabolic, behavioral and physiological data are captured in high resolution and complete synchrony.

Metabolism

• Indirect Gas Calorimetry (CaloSys) for PULL (standard) or PUSH mode
• Microbiome activity Monitoring (MicrobSys) by sensors for H2, CH4, VOCs, 13C
• Climate Chamber (temperature, humidity, light controlled environment)
• Feeding & Drinking (analysis and access control by time/duration/amount/frequency)
• Body weight monitoring (measurement and control of running wheel and food access)

Behavior and Cognition

• Activity Modules (IR light beams recognizing locomotor activity)
• Exercise Modules (home cage running wheel for voluntary or restricted running analysis)
• Learning & Memory (integrated operant wall, various stimuli/response elements)

Physiology

• Implantable Telemetry: Stellar (detailed monitoring of blood pressure, EEG, ECG, EMG, body temperature and activity)

The system is made to be flexibly adjusted to your specific research field and will be customized to your specific research needs, while still allowing you the flexibility to add additional modules if your research focus changes. To choose the most efficient setup, 

PhenoMaster modules

• Food & Liquid Intake Behavior & Body Weight, Access Control
• Continuous or Multiplexed Indirect Gas Calorimetry
• Activity Monitoring – ActiMot2, InfraMot
• Voluntary Running Wheels
• Motorized Running Wheels
• Operant Wall – Learning & Memory
• Stellar Telemetry
• Treadmill
• Environmental Chambers
• Metabolic PhenoCages