Latest news from the NC3Rs: August 2024

An in vitro assay to test follicle-stimulating hormone potency developed by Dr Francesco Nevelli at Merck has been recognised in the annual NC3Rs Prize, co-funded by GSK. Dr Lorna Ewart, Emulate Inc was highly commended for a paper analysing the predictability of an organ-on-a-chip device to determine liver toxicity.

3Rs Prize webinar
Wednesday 11 September, 13.30 – 14.30 (BST)

Professor Julia Buckingham, NC3Rs Board Chair, will present the Prize and attendees will have the opportunity to hear more about the winning research. 

Our project grant awards support the development, characterisation and testing of new 3Rs models, methods, tools and technologies. The six awards made in this year’s call represent exciting opportunities to improve upon current models, address barriers to uptake and combine technologies to develop cutting-edge tools to replace the use of animals in research and testing.

Two new CRACK IT Challenges aim to advance the development of new approach methodologies for avian toxicity testing (Wings of Change) and improve the post-operative care of rodents (Rodent Shelter). This year’s Challenges are supported by seven international Sponsors and Partners from across the chemical, pharmaceutical and non-profit sectors. If you are a UK or European-based innovator with the expertise to solve these Challenges, register for the launch webinars to find out more and how to apply.

Wings of Change webinar
Tuesday 17 September, 14.00 – 15.30 (BST)

Challenge aim: Replacing animal use for acute and chronic avian toxicity studies.

Expertise needed: In silico, in vitro and in ovo approaches including QSAR, exposure and effects modelling and cell lines.

Rodent Shelter webinar
Wednesday 18 September, 10.00 – 11.30 (BST)

Challenge aim: Refining post-operative care for laboratory rodents.

Expertise needed: Animal care, engineering, electronics, wireless technologies, sensors, monitoring approaches, data handling.

We are looking for researchers who are preparing a manuscript for publication that includes in vitro models, to participate in user testing of new reporting standards. The RIVER (Reporting In Vitro Experiments Responsibly) recommendations detail the minimum information necessary for a reader to assess the methodological rigour and reliability of an in vitro study.

Participants will receive expert feedback on their manuscript from members of the RIVER working group, improve the transparency of their work and its chances of successful publication, and receive a £50 (Euro/USD equivalent) voucher upon completing the study.

Our partnership and impact awards support researchers to work together to test and transfer 3Rs approaches between labs, accelerating the uptake of new approaches and achieving wider 3Rs impacts. Additional joint awards with Cancer Research UK and the British Heart Foundation are available for grants seeking to achieve a 3Rs impact within cancer or cardiovascular research fields.

Awards are for up to 24 months and a maximum of £200k (80% FEC). The budget for the 2024 call is £1.075M. Completed proposals should be submitted through the UKRI Funding Service.

Results from a joint survey with the Laboratory Animal Science Association indicate that the individual Named Information Officer (NIO) holds more than one role or responsibility, is time-poor, with variable understanding of the remit of their role. The NIO has some support from other named persons and the Establishment Licence Holder, but awareness on the scope and activities of the role is low. NIOs would like more support from their establishment, guidance on the extent of their responsibilities, and NIO-specific resources, training and networking opportunities.

We have launched new training resources to help scientists assess the quality and rigour of a research article using the ARRIVE guidelines. Suitable for scientists at all levels, in tutor groups, journal clubs or individual study, the ARRIVE manuscript review exercises will develop your understanding and ability to evaluate how transparent reporting enhances the reliability and reproducibility of animal research.

We are working with the Only Good Antibodies community to improve the reproducibility of research that uses antibodies. Poorly characterised and inadequately performing antibodies represent a significant waste in animals used in their production and in the research studies where they are employed. Earlier this year we hosted a joint meeting that brought together stakeholders from across the biosciences to share their perspectives and discuss actions needed to embed antibody best practice across the research community.

In the latest issue of Tech3Rs, our newsletter for animal technicians, we share details of our free 3Rs training and hear from two Tech3Rs champions on using ultrasound imaging to refine studies involving pregnant mice. We also explore how Newcastle University have made refined mouse handling the norm and their plans to offer free in-person workshops on this approach, with the support of the NC3Rs.

Is there a specific topic you would like to see featured in Tech3Rs or are you involved in a 3Rs initiative that you would like to share with other animal technicians? Get in touch: tech3rs@nc3rs.org.uk.

Our latest impact stories feature three replacement approaches developed through NC3Rs funding that were the first in vitro models validated to replace animal use for specific experiments in their research areas.

• Whittled down to the bone – developing a miniature in vitro bone model.
• Developing liver organoids – from stem cells to tumours.
• Pharmaceutical toxin safety tests without severe suffering.

Our Experimental Design Assistant (EDA) helps researchers to design in vivo experiments that are robust, meaningful and use the fewest number of animals needed to generate reliable results. Whether you are an existing user looking to make the most out of the EDA or you are interested in what the EDA has to offer, explore the wealth of information, features and tools available in our EDA tips blog.

Tuesday 10 September, 9.00 – 11.00 (BST)
Our Experimental Design Assistant (EDA) tool helps researchers at any level design robust in vivo experiments. During this interactive session Dr Esther Pearl (NC3Rs Programme Manager for Experimental Design) will give a live demonstration of the EDA before answering your questions and providing personalised feedback as you design your own experiment.

Wednesday 11 September
Copenhagen, Denmark
We are participating in a satellite workshop session at EUROTOX 2024, focusing on dose level selection for Developmental and Reproductive Toxicology (DART) studies. Dr Fiona Sewell (NC3Rs Head of Toxicology) will take part alongside representatives from Charles River Laboratories and the European Chemicals Agency.

Monday 16 September, 11.00 – 12.30 (BST)
Would you like to be more effective in searching for and keeping up with 3Rs-related information? This webinar will feature a trio of expert talks providing an overview of where to look for information relevant to your work, how library services can support your information searches and how to keep on top of advances in 3Rs in your field using alerts and social media. Talk topics will be relevant to researchers, 3Rs Champions, AWERB members and named persons.

The Medical Research Council, AstraZeneca and the Milner Therapeutics Institute at the University of Cambridge are establishing the Functional Genomics Screening Laboratory (FGSL). FGSL are looking for project proposals for arrayed CRISPR screens in human complex in vitro models, including co-culture, 3D, stem cell- and primary tissue-derived models. All UK-based academics are eligible.

If you acquire tissue samples or other materials from sentient animals for your research, take part in user testing of a new ethical framework developed by the animal materials working group, a collaboration of UK academic and research institutions and public bodies including the NC3Rs. The framework aims to harmonise organisational approaches to ethical assessment of animal material beyond ASPA including material collected from outside of a typical biomedical research setting, such as from field work, abattoirs, zoos and markets.

Thursday 3 October, 10.30 – 12.45 (BST)
Delivered by Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regulatory specialists, this online session will cover how Great Britain Biocidal Products Regulation information requirements can be met without vertebrate testing. The session aims to support attendees improve the quality of their submissions and understand how these will be reviewed by the regulator.