Rutgers Office for Research (OfR) leaders collaborated with researchers around the world to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) program that has the potential to revolutionize lab research.
The international collaboration of researchers that built the program presented its findings in a paper published in Lab Animal.
The team was led by OfR Vice President of Universitywide Core Services Jeetendra Eswaraka, Ph.D., and included Rutgers Senior Vice President for Research Michael E. Zwick, Ph.D., and others.
Current methods of checking the state of animals, or assessing animal condition, have limitations. Lab technicians typically conduct assessments during daytime hours, when the animals are less active, and signs of health issues can be subtle and easy to miss.
The innovation the team developed improves the well-being of mice through 24/7 noninvasive tracking of a digital biomarker—locomotor activity—which is then analyzed using a large language model (LLM) to provide alerts to veterinary staff about potential health issues. This AI algorithm detected potential health issues 3–5 days before obvious clinical signs appeared in mice, marking a milestone in health care for mice.
“This project on using machine learning and digital biomarkers to improve the health care of our animals has been a very fulfilling experience,” said Eswaraka.
“The ability to find animals that are likely to get sick 2–3 days before visible symptoms present themselves provides us with an opportunity to really make a difference in improving the health of the animals. Improving veterinary care and improving operational efficiency by over 50% are examples of how AI can change the world around us. I am grateful that Rutgers is developing and adopting these novel technologies, and I thank my collaborators for their hard work and dedication to this development.”
“AI programs such as this one that Eswaraka and our worldwide team developed are changing the way research is being conducted, and the Office for Research is at the forefront, using all available tools and sometimes creating more advanced tools to better support Rutgers researchers,” said Zwick. “I am proud to have been a part of this project, and I look forward to seeing its impact on research around the world.”
The Rutgers University Animal Care Program (RUAC) was recently reaccredited by AAALAC International (AAALACi)—a globally recognized organization that promotes the humane and responsible treatment of animals in science through assessment and accreditation.
The reaccreditation confirms that RUAC not only meets but exceeds the highest ethical, regulatory and technological standards, ensuring continued support for world-class research.