Towards the realization of automated experiments for small animals.
Institute of Physical and Chemical Research
In August 2021, we received a very interesting request. This request came from the RIKEN Institute as part of an important project aimed at achieving artificial hibernation.
The goal of this project was to uncover the fundamental principles of hibernation by conducting automated experiments with small animals. Our specific task was to develop communication devices that can effectively monitor the biological information and environmental data of the small animals, collecting and analyzing them in real-time, as well as developing LED units to induce hibernation in the animals.
We were deeply impressed by this mission and decided to bring together the expertise in communication and assembly technology that we have cultivated through our EMS business to engage in the development of advanced devices.
We are fully committed to this collaborative research, hoping that it will help unravel the mysteries of hibernation and contribute to the realization of artificial hibernation in the future.
▼ ▼ The following is the RIKEN Center for Bioscience and Biotechnology Laboratory WEB site ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼
Genshiro A. Sunagawa M.D., Ph.D. | Laboratory for Hibernation Biology | RIKEN BDR (riken.jp)
Artificial Hibernation: A New Possibility in Medicine
Certain mammals can lower their metabolism and enter a state of dormancy, an energy-saving phase known as active hypometabolism. While hibernation refers to a dormant state lasting for months, daily torpor refers to shorter periods of dormancy lasting just a few hours. If we could safely induce humans into a hibernation-like state, similar to hibernating animals, it could significantly reduce the number of cases where survival is not possible, facilitate the transportation of critically ill patients, enable long-term organ preservation, and improve the safety of general anesthesia—potentially overcoming many challenges in modern medicine.
Moreover, if artificial hibernation could be used to extend lifespan, it could radically expand our understanding of time and space, opening up new possibilities for the future, including long-duration space travel.
Current Status and Challenges of Mouse Research Towards Achieving Artificial Hibernation
Research aimed at realizing artificial hibernation is currently underway using mice. However, the process of collecting vital data and inducing hibernation still relies heavily on human intervention, which introduces challenges related to both efficiency and precision.
Development of Communication Devices and LED Units to Solve Challenges
In this project, we are developing communication devices to collect and analyze real-time physiological and environmental data from small animals, as well as LED units to recreate the light environment that induces hibernation. Through this development, we aim to contribute significantly to advancing the field of artificial hibernation and improving related research.
Our communication devices are designed to be compact and easy to attach, minimizing the burden on the animals while ensuring robust security measures to maintain the reliability of the research data. The LED units, based on research into light spectra and cycles that promote hibernation, aim to recreate the optimal light environment for inducing hibernation while considering the safety and health impacts on the animals.
By integrating these devices, we are committed to enabling automated experiments with small animals and making a meaningful contribution to the understanding of the fundamental principles of hibernation. We hope our efforts will pave the way for future breakthroughs in artificial hibernation and its potential applications.
Advancing Research Contributions and Funding Solutions: Progress through JAXA RFP8 Selection
Securing funding is a crucial challenge in advancing collaborative research. The communication devices and LED units we are developing can also be utilized in small animal experiments in space, significantly contributing to the advancement of space research.
In December 2022, our proposal, “Development of an Ultra-Compact Implantable Biocontrol System to Enable Automated Small Animal Experiments / Common Technology,” was successfully selected for the 8th Research Proposal Call (JAXA RFP8) by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA).
This selection has alleviated financial constraints necessary for joint development, allowing the research project to proceed smoothly. We anticipate that this will not only drive progress in space research but also enhance our contributions as collaborative researchers.
Solving Challenges: Development of a Communication Device
The development of the communication device marks the first and crucial step in this project. Through continuous trial and error, we are steadily progressing toward the project’s success.
