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Lai AT, Espinosa G, Wink GE, Angeloni CF, Dombeck DA, MacIver MA. A robot-rodent interaction arena with adjustable spatial complexity for ethologically relevant behavioral studies. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113671. [PMID: 38280195 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Outside of the laboratory, animals behave in spaces where they can transition between open areas and coverage as they interact with others. Replicating these conditions in the laboratory can be difficult to control and record. This has led to a dominance of relatively simple, static behavioral paradigms that reduce the ethological relevance of behaviors and may alter the engagement of cognitive processes such as planning and decision-making. Therefore, we developed a method for controllable, repeatable interactions with others in a reconfigurable space. Mice navigate a large honeycomb lattice of adjustable obstacles as they interact with an autonomous robot coupled to their actions. We illustrate the system using the robot as a pseudo-predator, delivering airpuffs to the mice. The combination of obstacles and a mobile threat elicits a diverse set of behaviors, such as increased path diversity, peeking, and baiting, providing a method to explore ethologically relevant behaviors in the laboratory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander T Lai
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Technological Institute E311, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - German Espinosa
- Department of Computer Science, Northwestern University, Seeley Mudd 3219, 2233 Tech Drive, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Gabrielle E Wink
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Technological Institute B224, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Christopher F Angeloni
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Hogan 2-160, 2205 Tech Drive, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Daniel A Dombeck
- Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Hogan 2-160, 2205 Tech Drive, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
| | - Malcolm A MacIver
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Technological Institute E311, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; Department of Computer Science, Northwestern University, Seeley Mudd 3219, 2233 Tech Drive, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Technological Institute B224, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA; Department of Neurobiology, Northwestern University, Hogan 2-160, 2205 Tech Drive, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
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