Phenosys rodent virtual reality systems

Virtual reality systems by Phenosys enable rats and mice to enter a virtual reality world. The platforms offer a revolutionary concept for research on animal learning, memory, cognition and navigation. They provide an environment of optimal control when investigating how animals process complex information. Furthermore, simple and complex behaviour can be explored in-depth.

The virtual reality platforms are highly flexible and modular solutions. Stimulation is not only visual but can be extended to 3D sound, odours and tactile information. It is easy to interface to existing hardware and software for in vivo measurements or brain stimulation such as electrophysiology set-ups.

The Jet Ball by Phenosys is a novel virtual reality experimental system based on an air cushion-supported spherical treadmill that allows a restrained rodent to navigate in virtual space. Restrained animals can be examined with electrophysiological and optogenetic methods while the animal performs simple or complex behaviour.

Applications include virtual reality navigation, electrophysiological and optogenetic methods, two-photon laser scanning microscopy, intracellular dynamics during virtual navigation, operant conditioning, and learning and memory processes.