e‐Research: a novel use of the Internet to perform live, remote animal research

Abstract

The Internet is primarily used for information, commerce, and education. We implemented and investigated a novel approach to performing live animal research by utilizing the Internet to access remote research facilities. Over a period of several months, investigators at USMA accessed an intravital microscopy center at TAMU laboratory by connecting to a remote computer‐driven microscope. The laboratory houses a unique resource—the world's sole colony of bats dedicated to vascular research. Our experiences provide an initial evaluation of the challenges of e‐Research. We identified three categories of challenges: technical, e.g., Internet bandwidth and security, training, e.g., distance vs. local training, complexity of computer software, Communication, e.g., one‐on‐one vs. community, data acquisition, formal reporting. We found communication to be the primary obstacle to completing an experiment as planned. Of 16 experiments meant to evaluate the inflammatory response of the Pallid bat, three were conducted as written and planned. This is a higher failure rate vis‐à‐vis traditional research protocols. Potentially centralizing rare animal care facilities and trained technicians, as well as accessing a community of scientists with diverse expertise, however, e‐Research may increase access to and effectiveness of rare life science resources.