Latest news from the NC3Rs: September 2024

We are collaborating with the MRC to support interdisciplinary research clusters that will drive the development, validation and/or adaptation of novel human in vitro disease models to replace the use of animals in academia and/or industry.

Webinar: Novel human in vitro models of complex disease
Wednesday 16 October, 14.00 – 15.00 (BST) 

Register for the applicant webinar to learn more about the scheme including the overall aims, remit and scope, eligibility and timelines.

A new funding opportunity to support NC3Rs, BBSRC and UKRI funded scientists to understand the market potential of their 3Rs technologies is now open for applications. Teams can apply for up to £35k and take part in a three-month, full-time market exploration programme, which aims to maximise 3Rs impact and chances of commercial success.

To ensure a strong application we strongly encourage potential applicants to watch our recent funding scheme webinar and get in touch with deborah.milligan@nc3rs.org.uk to discuss further.

Webinar: Engaging with your Technology Transfer Office 
Tuesday 15 October, 14.00 – 15.00 (BST)

Join an expert Panel to discuss the role of your Technology Transfer Office (TTO) and better understand how they can support you to commercialise 3Rs technologies, including the important role of TTOs in the ICURe programme.

Our Network primer award scheme aims to support NAMs, Cardiovascular and Oncology Network members to establish new collaborations to share 3Rs technologies and approaches and explore new areas for their application. The nine awards made in this first round will support opportunities for Network members to visit partner labs, learn new techniques and apply existing models to new research questions.

We have led an analysis to inform discussions on new endocrine disruption testing requirements in the EU and minimise the potential impact on animal use. Proposals to include new endocrine disruptor-specific testing in the EU could use tens of millions of animals and would not be feasible in practice. 

The working group identified several areas for further consideration and clarification, including where new approach methodologies could be more widely used to replace or waive animal testing.

Read the latest issue of the Genetics Society magazine to find out how we have supported the research community through changes in the creation and care of genetically altered animals over the past two decades. Dr Genevieve Barr, NC3Rs science manager, celebrates our 20-year anniversary by exploring the evolving relationship between genetic modification and the replacement, reduction and refinement of animals in scientific research.

Are you a manufacturer, regulator or a scientist within a contract research organisation, national regulatory authority or national control laboratory responsible for producing, approving or testing of biological therapeutics? If so, we would like to learn about your experiences of implementing the 3Rs and non-animal approaches within these tests.

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

Tox News is our dedicated newsletter for toxicologists and those working in regulatory sciences to stay up to date with our activities and outputs in this space. The latest issue includes an update of our two species project survey alongside recent publications and upcoming events.

A team led by Dr Adam Polak at the Fraunhofer UK Research Ltd has been awarded funding to develop non-invasive methods to identify individual mice from birth using non-toxic dyes and phosphors that allow mice to be monitored both by the human eye and using automated video tracking techniques.

The competition is now open for applications to solve two CRACK IT Challenges in collaboration with eight Sponsors and Partners from the pharmaceutical, chemical and non-profit sectors.

This year’s Challenges include developing new approach methodologies to replace birds in assessing avian toxicity (Wings of Change) and refining the post-operative care of rodents by creating a shelter to aid recovery (Rodent Shelter).

Friday 24 October, 12.00 (BST)
This webinar, presented by John Meredith of Understanding Animal Research (UAR) and Bella Lear, CEO of UAR Oceania, will explore the ways in which openness can contribute to the culture of care and alleviate some of the stresses that challenge animal care workers, resulting in better welfare for our animals and the people who protect them.

The RSPCA have two upcoming events as part of their "Focus on Severe Suffering" initiative. Both events are in-person and free to attend.

Minimising pain
Tuesday 5 November, Newcastle

An in-person meeting to discuss refining pain management in pain research and in painful procedures and disease models.

6th International Meeting
Wednesday 20 – Thursday 21 November, Gentilly, France

This event will bring together scientists, veterinarians, animal facility managers, technologists and other professionals from around the world to share insights and strategies, with a focus on research fields such as neuroscience, cancer and cardiovascular research.