BACKGROUND

The goal of this project was to design and build an automated grimace scale setup to increase the depth and
reliability of animal welfare monitoring in mice. We went above and beyond this goal and not only developed a
setup capable of automating the grimace scale, but also optimised the setup for behaviour flow analysis to provide
a more holistic measure of animal welfare. After initial validation of the system, it was duplicated and sent to
collaborators so that they could begin using it. Our collaborators feedback helped us to optimise the system,
ensuring that it was user friendly and robust. We then went on to use the system to investigate the difference
between two post surgery analgesia protocols and show that post surgery analgesia in mice could be further
optimised to reduce side effects whilst maintaining the same level of analgesia. We now aim to advertise and
distribute the system as widely as possible.

In summary:

• We designed and built a new automated animal welfare monitoring tool for mice
• The system combines the grimace scale with behaviour flow analysis to provide a more detailed and holistic summary of the animals condition
• Several collaborators have already begun using the system in their own research (Toxicology, Pain, Drug discovery etc.)
• We used the system to show that post surgical analgesia could be optimised to reduce side effects
• We are now focusing on keeping the system updated/distributing more systems and publishing the findings from the system

IMPACT

The automated animal welfare monitoring tool developed in this project has already been used to gather data showing that analgesia protocols following post intracranial surgery in mice can be optimised. Whilst this data has been shared at various talks and seminars throughout Switzerland and internationally, it will soon be published in a peer reviewed journal pending additional control experiments. The system will also be presented at SOT 64th Annual meeting in the USA early 2025. In addition to the data generated by the system being shared, the system itself has also been duplicated and provided to collaborators within ETH Zurich, Bern (Switzerland), Munster (Germany) and will also be used in the pharmaceutical industry (Roche). The delivery of each system is accompanied by a short training course on the system, however it may be necessary in the future to make training materials available online or to host a workshop. The system will also be featured in upcoming 3R events, such as the 3R’s day at ETH Zurich (Summer 2025). As more and more potential collaborators get in touch it is becoming more evident that in the future this project may require commercialisation to ensure that everyone who wants to use the system can. We are currently in talks with our institution and several experts in the patent/entrepreneurship fields to discuss the best plan of action going forward.