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Pioneering better science: Alternatives to animals
Using new and advanced technologies, scientists today have more ways to study human biology, health and disease without using animals than ever before. A mainstay of the NC3Rs public engagement programme, we are returning to the annual Pint of Science festival this year to showcase the latest innovations in replacement approaches and explore the future of alternatives to animal research.
Join us and NC3Rs-funded scientists to learn about a new London-based research hub for non-animal models of the gut and a pioneering approach to replace animal studies in neurology with a digital model of human brain cells.
Trust your gut (on-a-chip!)
Dr Tamas Korcsmaros, Associate Professor in Intestinal Epithelial Systems, Imperial College London
How can scientists investigate the complex system of organs, cells and bacteria in the gut without using animals? Tamas Korcsmaros is putting state‑of‑the‑art models of human biology and disease into the hands of researchers by uniting specialists in gastrointestinal biology, immunology, microbiology and bioengineering. With a new centre providing UK‑wide access to organ-on-a-chip technology, up to 12,000 mice could be replaced each year for research on gut health, the microbiome, bowel disease and more.
Learn more about Tamas’ non-animal methods infrastructure award: Establishing a core infrastructure for enhancing gut health, disease and microbiome research using advanced non-animal models.
Studying the brain in cyberspace
Dr Olga Tiurikova, Senior Research Fellow, UCL Institute of Neurology
The human brain is the ultimate biological computer – so what if scientists could replicate parts of it in the digital realm? Olga Tiurikova, together with colleagues and neurosurgeons, is developing new ways to study how brain cells function and interact on a screen. The computer model aims to replace animal studies of astrocytes – key cells that support brain function, from regulating blood flow to helping neurons communicate.
Learn more about Olga’s NC3Rs-funded work with Professor Dmitri Rusakov to develop a 3Rs platform for glial research: From animal to human to in silico models.
Other NC3Rs Pint of Science events
Newcastle, Monday 18 May
Scientists at Newcastle University share research to replace animals with 3D bioprinted and donated human tissue.
Bristol, Tuesday 19 May
Hear from scientists at the University of Bristol about using organoids and insects to replace in studies of human disease and the development of new drugs.