3Rs Centre Utrecht

𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗯𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗵𝘂𝘀-𝗼𝗻-𝗮-𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗲𝗹 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝗽𝘂𝘁 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 A team of researchers from the Netherlands and Japan has developed the 𝘉𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘶𝘴-𝘰𝘯-𝘢-𝘊𝘩𝘪𝘱 (𝘉𝘰𝘊) system that replicates chronic airway inflammation, commonly seen in conditions like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. Unlike traditional in vitro models, which culture cells horizontally, the BoC system mimics the human bronchus' tubular structure, providing more accurate insights into airway stenosis and cellular responses. This high-throughput microfluidic system allows for 62 chips in a single plate, making it an efficient tool for studying chronic bronchitis, goblet cell hyperplasia, and mucus hyperproduction. The BoC system successfully reproduces human bronchial epithelium, offering a closer look at epithelial differentiation and the effects of chronic inflammation. This innovative approach provides a human-relevant and high-throughput method for testing bronchial inflammation. https://lnkd.in/efErZaSc #BronchusOnAChip #3DModels #RespiratoryResearch #InVitroModels #COPD #Asthma #HighThroughput #BiomedicalInnovation #AnimalAlternatives #3Rs #NAMs

🧪💊We have awarded £1M for in vitro and in silico approaches to better predict developmental toxicity in drug development: https://lnkd.in/eHqjAKbN A team led by Dr Amer Jamalpoor at Toxys has been awarded further funding through the CrossDART CRACK IT Challenge to continue to develop and qualify multi-species in vitro assays. The project aims to reduce reliance on in vivo embryo-fetal developmental studies and improve translation and human relevancy. Their existing human ReproTracker® assay will be expanded to include rat and rabbit stem cells to provide species-specific predictions. The multi-species assays will be qualified with reference compounds and the data generated will be integrated into computational models to make species-specific predictions of teratogenicity in vivo. Read more about the CrossDART CRACK IT Challenge: https://lnkd.in/e3JsJ6xa Find out more about the ReproTracker® assay: https://lnkd.in/e_eCGwts The funding is based on successful proof-of-concept work. The project is supported by in-kind contributions (e.g. expertise, end-user requirements, compounds to test and support with regulatory interaction) from eight international sponsors from the pharmaceutical and not-for-profit sectors.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀? In the evolving landscape of biomedical research, animal models are still widely used and, when properly designed, can provide valuable insights into human diseases. However, as our knowledge of disease mechanisms deepens, so too must the sophistication and relevance of the models we use. Martina Perše's article, 𝘈𝘯𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘭 𝘔𝘰𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘏𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘗𝘢𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺: 𝘙𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘙𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘙𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴, emphasizes the need for continuous refinement in animal models to improve accuracy and translatability. While no single "ideal" model exists, advancements in genetically modified, experimentally induced, and spontaneous models have brought us closer to replicating human diseases more effectively. Key areas for refinement include: 𝗠𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗠𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗺𝘀: Enhancing models to better reflect human disease biology.  𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗗𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀: Addressing variations across species to ensure more accurate results.  𝗘𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀: Optimizing conditions to improve reproducibility. Ongoing re-evaluation of these models is essential to bridging the gap between laboratory research and clinical applications. https://lnkd.in/eVu7PZiV #AnimalModels #BiomedicalResearch #Refinement #HumanPathology #ResearchInnovation #3Rs 

𝗣𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗮 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘀𝗮𝘆 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱𝗯𝘆𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗯 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱! A ground-breaking policy shift has gone into effect, allowing pharmaceutical companies to transition away from using horseshoe crab blood in the safety testing of new products. Horseshoe crabs have been used to detect endotoxins in drugs, vaccines, and medical devices, but their blood can lead to false positives. Additionally, this practice poses environmental and ethical concerns. With the approval of synthetic alternatives, we now have safer and more reliable options for testing. One such alternative is the recombinant Factor C (rFC) assay, a synthetic method that detects endotoxins without using horseshoe crab blood. Eli Lilly and Company has already transitioned 80% of its testing to these methods, and many other companies are following suit. https://lnkd.in/eUe2wV_R #AnimalWelfare #PharmaceuticalIndustry #Sustainability #NonAnimalTesting #Innovation #EndotoxinTesting #SustainableSolutions #3Rs #NAMs

𝗟𝗲𝘁’𝘀 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗶𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝘀! As the year comes to an end, it’s the perfect time to pause and admire the 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦 we’ve decorated—one filled with the sparkling ornaments of our achievements in 2024! Let’s take a look at some of the highlights that make this tree so special: 𝗔𝗻 𝗔𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴: We created a brand-new animation explaining the 3Rs and Novel Approach Methodologies (NAMs). https://lnkd.in/e3-me9td 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿: Our Interspecies and Fetal Calf serum (FCS)-free databases got a makeover! We’ve updated, upgraded, and polished them to keep them user-friendly and up-to-date, supported by Triodos Foundation. https://lnkd.in/eACm7KEa /; https://lnkd.in/e4SZi75m 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵: Together with the HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht (Hogeschool Utrecht), we launched an initiative in which students are educated in the principles of good cell culture, while at the same time testing animal-free cell culture supplements as alternatives for fetal calf serum (FCS). Supported by the Ministerie van Landbouw, Visserij, Voedselzekerheid en Natuur. 𝗔 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿: This year, we -together with our partners TPI, Netherlands National Committee for the protection of animals used for scientific purposes (NCad) and TPI Utrecht, proudly organized a conference dedicated to bridging the 3Rs perspective with that of transition thinking and NAMs. 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: Together with colleagues from the EU COST action IMPROVE we published on updates and interpretations of the 3Rs principle: https://lnkd.in/eKv5ce3m. 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Hosting a EU COST Action IMPROVE workshop in Utrecht was a true highlight! We laid the groundwork for future publications, discussed about pending issues,fostered collaborations and enjoyed the canals and churches of Utrecht. But what’s a tree without presents under it? In 2025, we’re excited to 𝘶𝘯𝘸𝘳𝘢𝘱 some incredible projects, including: Launching the 𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁 (𝗕𝗠𝗘)-𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲 (supported by Proefdiervrij). Updating and upgrading of the 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗱𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 (supported by Triodos Foundation). Piloting the 𝗡𝗔𝗠𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗸 based on insights acquired by our last years 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 to the Ministry of LVVN. It’s been a fantastic year of teamwork, determination, and progress. A huge 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 to everyone who contributed to making 2024 so impactful. Happy holidays and best wishes for a successful and inspiring 2025! #3Rs #NAMs #Collaboration #Communications

𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝘁𝗹𝗮𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻-𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 The Human Cell Atlas (HCA) is transforming our understanding of human biology by building a comprehensive atlas of all cells that are present in the human body. This global effort, involving over 3,600 members from 102 countries, is delivering insights into human development, tissue function and disease progression. The rich dataset also holds potential to enhance in vitro models by providing precise information about human cell interactions and their microenvironments. It also enables more accurate disease modelling, both in vivo and in vitro, by uncovering the cellular mechanisms and interactions specific to the human body and disease. We look forward to seeing the HCA grow and provide even more human-specific information, helping to make science more accurate, ethical, and representative. https://lnkd.in/eCNeb7-Y #HumanCellAtlas #InVitroModels #RegenerativeMedicine #HumanSpecificResearch #BiomedicalInnovation #CellularBiology #DiseaseModeling #Microenvironments #GlobalCollaboration #LifeSciences #EthicalResearch #3Rs #NAMs #BiologicalNetworks

A call to all scientists ! Your participation to this survey would be much appreciated 🙏

De Off Road 2025 call is open! Nu met de mogelijkheid om boven op de subsidie een New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) investeringsmodule aan te vragen.

𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗖𝗦-𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲! Last April, we launched a new version of the FCS-free Database with major updates, and since then, we've been working on keeping it up-to-date and improving its functionality. Your feedback has been invaluable, and we've listened! Two new pages have been added on the subjects of: 1. Reducing FCS use. Containing practical tips for researchers seeking suitable alternatives or looking to transition away from FCS but unsure where to start. 2. FCS-free Cryopreservation media. Contains a Table with commercially available FCS-free cryopreservation media.   Interested? We invite you to explore the database and its new additions! https://lnkd.in/e4SZi75m

We are leading a €4.2M initiative to develop New Approach Methodologies (NAM) based tools to assess chemicals. But how do we ensure they are scientifically sound and fit for regulatory use? 💡 Listen to this podcast where experts discuss the current advancements on alternatives to animal testing, the challenges ahead, and global collaborations involved. 🔗https://lnkd.in/dZi6pxP8 Featuring: 🎙️ Sylvia. Escher, Fraunhofer ITEM 🎙️ Tomasz Sobański, ECHA’s Alternative Methods Team #SaferChemicalsPodcast #AnimalFreeTesting #NAMs #AlternativesToAnimalTesting