Improving mouse housing for better animal welfare in research
Official title: Enhancing operational efficiency and animal welfare through the use of digital ventilated caging for laboratory mice in an ABSL3 Select Agent biocontainment program
Funded at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital · NIH-10986874 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking to improve the living conditions for laboratory mice by using new, high-tech cages, which will help keep the mice healthy and happy while researchers learn more about infectious diseases that affect children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Memphis, United States) |
| Project start | July 15, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $327,477 |
| NIH project number | 1R24OD037684-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10986874 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children under 11 years old who may be affected by infectious diseases being studied.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not children or who do not have conditions related to infectious diseases may not receive direct benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on upgrading the housing systems for laboratory mice by acquiring advanced digital ventilated cages. These new systems aim to enhance the living conditions of the mice, which is crucial for ethical animal welfare in research settings. The project is part of a larger initiative to expand research on infectious diseases affecting children, particularly in a biocontainment environment. By improving husbandry practices, the research seeks to support the health and well-being of the mice used in critical studies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved animal welfare standards in laboratory settings, which may enhance the quality of research outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Similar research has shown success in improving animal welfare and research outcomes through enhanced housing systems, indicating a promising approach.
Where this research is happening
-
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Memphis, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pisharath, Harshan — St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
- Study coordinator: Pisharath, Harshan
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.