Basic information
Investigator: Mgr. Klára Tučková
Main recipient: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Co-recipient: n/a
Research period: 01/04/2026 – 30/09/2026
Total budget: 687,500.00 CZK
NIMH budget: 687,500.00 CZK
Supported by: OTHERS (014-2026-SIC)
Annotation
The proposed project aims to develop and application-validate a capacitive monitoring system enabling long-term, non-invasive tracking of locomotor activity, respiratory rate, and fluid intake in laboratory animals. The objective is to improve the technological readiness of the system for routine monitoring and control of animals in experimental laboratories as well as in commercial breeding facilities.
Thanks to its non-contact measurement principle, the developed system enables continuous monitoring without the need for handling animals or implanting chips, thereby minimizing stress and avoiding interference with the monitored parameters.
The project addresses the lack of available tools on the market for automated and objective real-time assessment of the physiological condition of animals. Changes in activity, breathing patterns, and fluid intake are among the early indicators of stress, pain, or pathology, which can be easily overlooked during routine inspections.
The device would also be highly useful for preclinical experiments, where it would enable more detailed monitoring of the effects of new pharmaceuticals and therapeutic interventions on animal models.