Physiology at scale – lessons learned and implementation of high throughput neonate autoresuscitation screening to model SIDS risk

Facemask pneumotachography is a common, precise experimental approach for measuring respiratory outcomes, including in neonatal rodents aged postnatal day 7-8. Pneumotachography has been applied in autoresuscitation experiments that inform upon Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) where failure of autoresuscitation is hypothesized to be a common endpoint. However, current approaches rely on an experimenter’s direct real-time waveform interpretation and highly variable reaction times to change gas exposures. We have developed Looper, which represents a novel and significant improvement on the typical observer-based interpretation of real-time data to initiate challenge and recovery gas applications. Among the goals of this system are uncovering features, physiological signal derived biomarkers, and risk factors related to neonate cardiorespiratory physiology and autoresuscitation failure. Our platform has also benefited from updates to our previously published Breathe Easy software, where we have expanded the analytical capabilities of the software to measure critical features within a typical autoresuscitation cycle in neonatal mice. Automation of the neonate autoresuscitation reflex assay has created several opportunities to interrogate basic biology, genetic and exposure risks, and potential therapeutics related to autoresuscitation failure and SIDS. Iterative expansion of our automated systems further expand the platform’s potential but requires approaches to manage the pipeline. Currently, initiation of the experiment requires user attention and manual data input. However, workflow improvements including QR code scanning and high-throughput animal handling devices reduce error rates and improve productivity. Version control of software and settings used for data collection have also been implemented to manage tracking of changes to algorithm and default experiment settings. Our previously published Breathe Easy software has also been improved to accept neonate autoresuscitation data and provide specialized analyses specific to this physiological assay. We continue to develop strategies to manage this data collection and analysis pipeline including the use of code repositories and remote system management tools, like ansible, and scheduling and automation of file management and data analysis. Here, we provide an update on the current status of our platform and the impact of refinements that have been implemented. UM1HG006348, R01HL130249, R01HL161142, BCM-CVRI Pilot Grant Funding, Support from BCM's Advanced Technology Cores This abstract was presented at the American Physiology Summit 2025 and is only available in HTML format. There is no downloadable file or PDF version. The Physiology editorial board was not involved in the peer review process.