Current methods for longitudinally assessing skilled motor function in rodent models are labor intensive and time-consuming to administer frequently over long timescales. New rodent models of motor diseases are proliferating faster than they can be characterized, and researchers need new efficient methods for phenotyping.

To meet this need, Vulintus is developing ‘OmniHome’, a wireless, battery-powered operant behavior system designed for unsupervised administration of skilled motor testing in standard, unmodified rack-mount home cages.

OmniHome’s key features include:

• No external processing and control computer is required. OmniHome processes and stores behavioral data in onboard memory, and transmits data directly to the cloud over Bluetooth or WiFi.

• OmniHome fits completely inside most standard “shoebox” type ventilated cages, occupying less than 25% of any cage’s volume. OmniHome also installs with no cage or rack modification. There’s no holes to drill or cables to run. It mounts in place of the standard wire-frame food hoppers.

• A single device can administer continuous 24/7 behavioral testing. The only maintenance required is to replace the removable, hot-swappable battery every 3-5 days.

OmniHome is still in development, but we expect to release it in early 2020. If you’d like to receive updates about OmniHome availability, please join our OmniHome Updates mailing list:

Development of OmniHome is supported by a Small-Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant R43AG059508 from the National Institute on Aging.