
BMC Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 22(1)
Published: Nov. 14, 2024
Abstract Background Light is a key environmental regulator of physiology and behaviour. Mistimed or insufficient light disrupts circadian rhythms associated with impaired health well-being across mammals. Appropriate lighting therefore crucial for indoor housed commonly measured in lux. However, this employs spectral weighting function human luminance not suitable ‘non-visual’ effects use species. In humans, photoreceptor-specific (α-opic) metrology system has been proposed as more appropriate way measuring light. Results Here we establish technology to allow α-opic measurement approach be readily extended mammalian species, accounting differences photoreceptor types, photopigment sensitivities, eye anatomy. We develop high-throughput method derive sensitivities recombinantly expressed opsins it the sensitivity melanopsin from 13 non-human further address need simple strategies species-specific measures by developing an accessible online toolbox calculating these units validating open hardware multichannel sensor ‘point click’ measurement. finally demonstrate that measurements are superior photopic lux predictors physiological responses mice ecologically relevant comparisons photosensitivity between Conclusions Our study presents methods existing unit holds promise improvements welfare animals, scientific research reproducibility, agricultural productivity, energy usage.
Language: Английский