< NC3Rs website
molecs3
New Solution: In silico platforms for cross-species comparisons

It is widely acknowledged that animal models are not always accurate predictors of the effects of a substance on humans, other animals or the environment, and many compounds fail to translate to the clinic because of this. This attrition limits the development of safe and effective new chemical entities (NCEs) and therapeutics and is a major financial burden, providing significant incentive to develop an in silico platform that can inform researchers as to the most appropriate model system (if any) for investigating the efficacy or toxicity of a given compound.

17 May 2017
Topcat1
New Solution: MouseMet and RatMet: refined mechanical and thermal nociceptive testing

Fundamental and pharmacological studies in pain require nociceptive threshold testing (NTT) to detect increases or decreases in sensitivity to a noxious stimulus. Thermal and mechanical sensitivity testing is very widely used in such research, and rodents, primarily mice, are the most common species studied. Testing with von Frey filaments and hot plate technology, principally the Hargreaves system, are currently the accepted methods for mechanical and heat testing respectively. However, these have a number of scientific and animal welfare limitations.

17 May 2017
Manchester-1
New Solution: A novel biosensor platform using non-animal derived antibodies

There is a growing market to develop tests for the straightforward, fast and low-cost detection of biomolecules. The recognition element in these tests is traditionally based on antibodies, which are expensive, relatively unstable and require the use of animals in their production. Polymers, or “plastic” antibodies, are able to mimic the properties of natural antibodies and are able to overcome these drawbacks.

16 May 2017