Modular Operant Chamber

Operant chamber for behavioral experiments in mice, adapted for combination with freely-moving imaging, fiber photometry, and electrophysiology. Ideal for fear and/or operant conditioning. Ability to change the context according to the experimental needs. Experimental control and recording software included. Chamber is made entirely of smooth, IR-transparent acrylic and metal. The chamber is mounted on a sliding drawer within a sound-attenuating cabinet, allowing easy access to all the components.  Ventilator included for air circulation. All modules are able to be detached by the user from the cage and used independently if desired. Cage comes mounted on a cart (if desired), allowing for easy transport within and between experiment rooms.

Ideal chamber for many types of behavioral assays

Including, but not limited to:

• Operant conditioning
• Fear conditioning, contextual fear conditioning
• Sensory stimulation, sensory memory paradigm
• Go / no-go paradigms
• Reversal learning

Modules included in the base configuration:

• Houselight: can be programmed to be red, dim white, or bright white (diffuser included)*
• Overhead IR camera (IR illumination also provided)
• LEDs for visual simulation
• Sound system for auditory stimulation and white noise*
• Retractable lever for operant conditioning
• Liquid reward delivery system*
• Aqtion experimental control and recording software

* indicates features that are programmable and can be changed on a trial-by-trial basis

Additional available behavioral modules include, but are not limited to:

• Shock-compatible grid floor
• Interchangeable contexts
• LED matrix for visual simulation
• Optical (beam-crossing) position detector
• Online video behavioral tracking (closed-loop possible)

Supported by Aqtion software

The apparatus interfaces with Aquineuro's Aqtion software, which enables flexible apparatus control through custom python scripts, and records all the inputs and outputs of each behavioral module in an easily-readable open-source file format.

Integrated camera to record videos ready for behavior tracking

Camera and infrared illumination are mounted in the sound attenuation cabinet, ensuring consistent alignment,  focus, lighting conditions, and field of view.  Ideal conditions for subsequent behavior tracking.

Customization possible

Contact us for more details. Notably, we can modify the top of the cage to accommodate your commutator. We can also make a custom module according to your specifications. Our behavioral cage provides access to the I²C port, enabling customers to develop and integrate their own custom modules.