Features
Flexible Design
The flexible hardware design allows the researcher to configure the animal’s cage to fit their specific study design.
| Features | BioDAQ E3 | BioDAQ E2 | BioDAQ UnPlugged |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automated Gate Controller |  |
with Upgrade | |
| Electronic Episodic Monitoring (8 min. / 32 max. per Central Controller) |
|
|
with Upgrade |
| Data Analysis Software | |
|
with Upgrade |
| Perimeter Mounted Hoppers | |
|
|
| Measure ad lbitum FOOD Intake | |
|
|
| Measure ad libitum LIQUID Intake | |
|
|
| Fit Multiple Hoppers | |
|
|
| Singly-housed MICE | |
|
|
| Singly-housed RATS | |
|
|
| Tethered animals (with optional slotted cage top) |
|
|
|
| Manual Periodic Weighing | |
Records Bouts
BioDAQ collects and records the smallest unit of consumption: the bout. A bout is an episode of uninterrupted feeding or drinking,having a start time, duration, and amount consumed. A freely feeding mouse or rat will interact with its food and water hundreds of times each day. Each of these bouts of feeding or drinking, and their relationship to each other, comprise the animals’ intake behavior.
Home Cage
The BioDAQ Food and Liquid Intake Monitor (BioDAQ) is a home cage based instrument that automatically collects and records an animal’s native feeding and drinking behavior. e singly housed animal can live chronically in the BioDAQ. Feeding and drinking modules are adapted to standard laboratory cages. The cages and hardware can be cleaned using standard animal facility procedures.
Reduced Stress
The feeding and drinking modules are mounted on the outside of the home cage and are easily accessible to both the animal and the researcher. The feeding and drinking interfaces are similar to typical laboratory home cages, allowing for a low stress transition to the system. When networked, the system and real time data can be remotely accessed, limiting the need for researchers to enter the colony room.
Electronic Sensors
Each feeding and drinking module is fitted with an electronic sensor that monitors the weight of the hopper on a second by second basis. The software measures changes in stable weight, which correspond to the animals interactions with the food or liquid source. Each distinct interaction recorded is a bout of feeding or drinking. An integrated environmental monitor automatically records light cycles, temperature, and humidity.
Automated Gate
An optional automated gate controller allows the researcher to remotely control the animal’s access to any food or liquid module by time and/or amount.
Data Analysis Software
The BioDAQ DataViewer is a data analysis software program that allows the researcher to view the data in real time, and to analyze the collected bout data.
Applications:
Food Intake
Liquid Intake
Food and Liquid Intake
Food Choice
Liquid Choice
Place Preference
Taste Preference
Intermittent Access
Options:
Cages
Hardware
Software
Electronics
Racks
BioDAQ E3 Automated Gate Controller
BioDAQ E2 Episodic Monitor
BioDAQ Unplugged Periodic Monitor