Latest news from the NC3Rs: February 2024

Have you published a paper in the past three years with major 3Rs impacts? Wherever you are in the world, apply for the International 3Rs Prize.

This prestigious annual award, sponsored by GSK, consists of a £2k personal award and a £28k prize grant to further the 3Rs impact of the winning research. A £20k contribution is provided by GSK with all remaining funds, including the personal award made by the NC3Rs.

Scientists in any field of academia or industry are eligible, whether the 3Rs were the primary focus of your work or a secondary benefit.

On Monday 19 February there was a debate in the UK Parliament in response to two e-petitions. The first calls for a ban on the use of dogs in research and testing and the second an end to the use of animals in toxicity testing by its replacement with non-animal methods. Our Chief Executive Dr Vicky Robinson describes some of the NC3Rs work that addresses the concerns raised.

Our regional programme managers work to accelerate the uptake of the 3Rs by engaging directly with scientists, technicians and research institutions. We are now offering training and support free of charge to all institutions involved in animal research across the UK.

With bespoke training available both face-to-face and virtually, please get in touch to discuss how we can best support you: regional.support@nc3rs.org.uk.

Ensuring that local 3Rs efforts are realised, recorded, recognised and disseminated can be a barrier to progress. The role of a ‘3Rs Champion’ is emerging to overcome this. We hear from three Champions on how the role acts as a focal point for 3Rs activities, includes scope to seek and share 3Rs information and can broaden the 3Rs narrative outside of the in vivo research community.

We are looking for researchers preparing a manuscript that includes in vitro models to participate in user testing of the RIVER (Reporting In Vitro Experiments Responsibly) recommendations. RIVER aims to improve the reliability and reproducibility of in vitro studies to minimise wastage of animal-derived reagents, avoid animal experiments based on flawed data and build confidence in alternative models.

Participants will receive expert feedback on their manuscript, improve the transparency of their work and its chances of successful publication and receive a £50 (Euro/USD equivalent) voucher.

In collaboration with the British Toxicology Society and toxicologists from industry and academia we have developed a vision for world-leading chemicals safety testing in the UK that embraces the latest scientific developments and 3Rs opportunities. We aim to catalyse the commitment and investment required to develop a modern, sustainable approach to UK chemicals regulation that reduces reliance on animal-based testing methods and delivers scientific, business and societal benefits for the UK.

Hear from our Chief Executive Dr Vicky Robinson and Board Chair Professor Julia Buckingham CBE, FMedSci discussing the very start of NC3Rs through to the opportunities as we look ahead to our 20-year anniversary and beyond.

We have awarded the first funding for the SensOoChip and CrossDART Challenges, sponsored by 11 organisations to accelerate the development and uptake of new approach methodologies (NAMs). Six teams, from across the academic, not-for-profit research and Small to Medium Enterprise sectors based in the UK and internationally, will receive up to £100k each to deliver proof-of-concept studies focusing on advancing the utility and reproducibility of organ-on-chip technologies and developing improved in vitro assays for developmental toxicity.

Tuesday 12 March – Thursday 14 March, Scotland
NC3Rs Programme Managers Dr Ellen Forty and Dr Stephen Turnock will be attending the Institute of Animal Technology (IAT) annual congress to give advice on performing welfare trials, maximising study plans and adopting the ARRIVE guidelines and share our project to better support the Named Information Officer role.

Tuesday 19 March 2024, 16.00 – 17.00 (GMT)
Our Experimental Design Assistant (EDA) tool helps researchers at any level design robust in vivo experiments. Following a presentation of the key aspects of the online tool, Dr Esther Pearl (NC3Rs Experimental Design Programme Manager) will answer questions on how you can use the EDA to design and plan your next study. Limited spaces are available on a first come first served basis and attendees are eligible for CPD points.

Thursday 18 April, 10.00 – 17.00, London
Join us to launch our Cardiovascular Network and accelerate the adoption of 3Rs approaches across the cardiovascular research community. The event will include presentations on models used across academic and industry, showcase NC3Rs-funded science and provide an opportunity to build collaborations and discuss community resources.

Tuesday 30 April, 9.30 – 17.00, London
Explore the landscape of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) in academia and industry at the NAMs Network launch event. Talks will cover taking NAMs from development to application, accelerating their adoption, changing the way we think about safety assessment and how CRACK IT Challenges are accelerating NAMs development and uptake.

Tuesday 26 March, 9.30 – 16.00
Organised by The Physiological Society, this one day meeting will bring in vivo researchers together to hear talks, engage in discussion and exchange ideas on best practice in their work with animals. NC3Rs Programme Managers Dr Chris Barkus and Dr Esther Pearl will deliver talks on refining high-yield behavioural experiments and using both sexes in experimental design.

Wednesday 27 March, 14.00 – 15.00 (GMT)
The 3Hs initiative aims to improve the lives of laboratory rodents through refined management approaches which impact on lifetime experience and cumulative suffering. The framework was developed by neuroscientists at the University of Bristol who have quantified animals' emotional experiences in response to refinements. This webinar will introduce the 3Hs concept and demonstrate the new 3Hs Initiative website and online training resources.

Tuesday 9 – Thursday 11 April, Exeter
A workshop to address the latest developments in the field of zebrafish husbandry and care, including the effects of water chemistry on reproducibility and welfare supported by the NC3Rs and the RSPCA Animals in Science Department.