Research Proposal

Research Proposal

I. Title of Project: 

The Effects of Divided Caging in the Reduction of Mice Aggression

II. Statement of Purpose: 

Nearly 95% of all laboratory animals are either mice or rats. The basis for research in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, and medicine are largely dependent on cost effective, small rodents that can produce results similar to what would be expected from humans. Much like humans, mice fight. However, their fighting and aggression can be detrimental to the often minute behaviors or patterns that researchers look for and base their research on. My senior research project will be analyzing the effects of a new prototype cage divider that we predict will significantly reduce the amount of injury and contamination of data within an experiment by allowing the mice to have a sense of personal space within the larger cage. 

III. Background:

BALB/c is an albino, laboratory-bred strain of the House Mouse from which a number of common sub-strains are derived

Humans have used mice for scientific testing since the early 18th century and mice have become even more common since the rediscovery of Gregor Mendel's laws of inheritance and the Human Genome Project that mapped the entire mouse genome have allowed us to essentially choose certain characteristics, behaviors or traits that the researchers want to see in their subjects. Because mice are relatively inexpensive, and easy to transport and dispose of, the use of mice has grown exponentially. However, the standard housing cages for mice in most biomedical research, typically house five animals at a time. In the wild, mice live in burrows. Although mice are social animals, which is why the mimic humans in some crucial ways, they also need space without the interference of other animals. Because the current housing cages are open spaces with little "enrichment" they do not offer the animals any place to go outside of the line of sight of another, increasing the incidences of violence and aggression among the animals. 

IV. Significance:

 At the Arizona Biomedical Collaborative building, I work in a laboratory that primarily conducts research in the field of Traumatic Brain Injuries, most of which are examined upon mice or rats. The cage dividers we are testing could introduce a safer, more neutral environment for the mice in studies at this lab, and at others. In biomedical research, the behaviors that researchers often look for are extremely subtle and scientists work tirelessly to eliminate any confounding variables that could contaminate their data. Similarly, the severity of aggressive behaviors among the mice can lead to injuries or fatalities which result in the euthanasia of those animals, creating more expense and hassle for the researchers, and leading to the reckless disregard for animal life. If the cage dividers are effective, they will produce a cost-effective, simple solution to many of these issues and could potentially change the way animal research is conducted in laboratories all around the world. 

Standard disposable caging for most biomedical research

V. Research Methodology:

To observe the mice during their day and night cycles, we will be conducting behavioral research to identify the types and severity of aggressive behaviors among the animals. By ranking their behaviors and analyzing the data as is compares to "normal" behavior in cages without the dividers, we will be able to make a correlation between the use of the dividers and the events taking place within the cages.

VI. Anticipated Problems:

I anticipate a learning curve as it will take me some time to become familiar with "normal" behaviors for the animals before I can accurately analyze potentially aberrant behaviors. However, my mentor has worked with the mice extensively and I will rely on him, other mentors within the lab, and published work to augment my understanding of mice behavior throughout my project.