Computer imaging frogs

 

A British biologist has developed computer-imaging technologies to keep an eye on frogs used in research.

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In an announcement made today by Ian Pearson, the Secretary of State for Science and Innovation, Dr Matt Guille of the University of Portsmouth was awarded a grant for his research, as part of a package of funding from the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs).
 
Dr Guille, head of the School of Biological Sciences, working with Professor Elizabeth Jones at the University of Warwick and software engineers Solcom, will pioneer a new method of identifying individual frogs using digital imaging which measure the patterns of the frogs’ backs and feet.
 
“Thousands of frogs are kept in laboratories throughout the UK. Mainly they are used to produce eggs and embryos to study development. In order to meet their welfare requirements, it is necessary for frogs to be kept in large groups so they feel protected and feed normally,” said Dr Guille.
 
“Individual frogs need to be identifiable so that their welfare can be monitored and to determine which experiment they are part of. This has been done for example by branding, toe-clipping or microchips. A new method is being pioneered which measures a pattern on the backs and feet of the animal using digital imaging and is therefore not harmful to the frog. If successful this technique will be marketed commercially.”
 
The grant is one of 11 awards by the N3Rs to examine alternatives to the use of animal research in the UK. 

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