Latest news from the NC3Rs: October 2025

With additional funding from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, last year we ran the first UK funding call for infrastructure to strengthen national capabilities in methods that replace the use of animals. The case studies highlighted in our report illustrate the breadth of projects supported and their scientific and animal replacement impacts.

Are you involved in manufacturing or testing biologics, or developing and marketing monocyte activation test (MAT) kits or services? We want to hear about your experiences on using the MAT as a replacement for the rabbit pyrogen test – how you use and validate it, the cell types you work with and the barriers you face.

The survey should take no longer than 30 minutes to complete and your responses will be used to inform our work to support the wider integration of 3Rs approaches in biologics quality control testing.

Drs Nathalie Percie du Sert (Director of Research Practice) and Esther Pearl (Programme Manager – Experimental Design) have co-authored a new chapter in the US Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees (IACUC) Handbook, to support ethical review bodies in assessing the reliability of animal research as part of a harm-benefit analysis.

Inserm, the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research, has developed a national training course using the NC3Rs Experimental Design Assistant (EDA) to teach best practice when it comes to the experimental design of in vivo studies. Hear from the course organiser about how they developed Parcours-EDA and their advice for using the EDA in teaching and training.

A new imaging system to track gene and cell therapies in vivo over time has been developed through our Transgene Track CRACK IT Challenge, sponsored by GSK and Novartis. The technology enables non-invasive longitudinal tracking of gene therapies in rodents – reducing animal use and improving data quality in preclinical studies.

Friday 7 November, 13.00 – 16.00
An afternoon of networking and expert insights to bring together researchers, clinicians and neurosurgeons to discuss the practicalities and potential of using human brain tissue to replace animal models in neuroscience. This event is organised by Dr Olga Tiurikova, as part of an NC3Rs early career engagement award.

Swiss 3RCC and FC3R: Replacement in neuroscience

Thursday 13 November
12.30 – 16.15 (GMT) / 13.30 – 17.15 (CET)
This half-day online workshop will focus on human-based in vitro and in silico approaches to model and study the brain, generate new insights into neurological processes and translate findings into therapeutic and safety applications.

The Swedish 3R Center: Replace webinar series

Thursdays 20 November – 11 December
11.00 – 12.00 (GMT) / 12.00 – 13.00 (CET)
A series of webinars across four weekly sessions focused on human-based models for better research and drug discovery, including organ-on-chip, organoids, predictive in vitro models and computational in silico approaches. Scientists from across sectors and fields of research are welcome and early career researchers, including postdoctoral and doctoral students, are particularly encouraged to attend.

Wednesday 10 December, London
An annual event for members of an Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body (AWERB) and anyone involved in animal care and use in research. Topics at this year's event include accelerating the replacement of animals in science and improving resources, engagement and recognition for AWERBs, alongside expert talks on current advances in animal welfare and the 3Rs.