3Rs Centre Utrecht’s Post

“In the last ten years, people spent a lot of time to develop and understand how to make organoids,” says Shuibing Chen, a chemical biologist at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City. “But this is the time now to think more about how to use the models”. We couldn’t agree more! Stimulating interdisciplinary contacts between researchers using experimental animals and researchers that develop new, innovative animal-free technology (NAMs) are instrumental to explore the potential of new technology to help reduce or replace animal use.   #3Rs #NAMs #interdisciplinary_collaborations #3Rs_NAMs_all_inclusive #animalfree https://lnkd.in/deqaie4Z

💡 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗡𝗔𝗠𝘀: 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱! We are glad to announce the launch of an animated video, explaining the difference between Replacement and New Approach Methods (NAMs). As 3RCU, we believe that both thinking frameworks are complementary, and that connecting them can potentiate a transition towards biomedical science without animal testing. This is also why the 3RCU and the Transitie Proefdiervrije Innovatie programme office (TPI), together with NCad and TPI Utrecht, are organizing a conference on 19 june 2024 titled: “The 3Rs and NAMs: all inclusive?”. This event will bring together experts in 3Rs and NAMs to explore the future for human-oriented biomedical basic and translational science. The conference is almost fully booked, so secure your place while you still can via: https://lnkd.in/eAPpiFvy

We are very pleased to announce that Thomas Hartung will be a keynote speaker on the conference 'The 3Rs and NAMs: all inclusive?’ on 19 June in Utrecht!    Thomas Hartung is professor at Johns Hopkins University and director of the Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT) in the US and Europe. Hartung offers an interesting perspective on animal-free innovation with better accuracy in (human) prediction, ethical benefits and cost-effectiveness by using AI, open access and more. Don’t miss this opportunity and register for ‘The 3Rs and NAMs: all inclusive?’ via: https://lnkd.in/eAPpiFvy #conference #3Rs #NAMs  

Don’t miss out on Heather Hersh, PsyD’s webinar: "Understanding and Preventing Compassion Fatigue in Laboratory Animal Scientists and Professionals", part of the TARCforce3R monthly seminar series at University Medical Center Mainz 📅19 April, 14:00-16:00 (CEST) 🔗 Find the meeting link here: https://lnkd.in/eb-h2X5t Working in the field of animal research can be uniquely rewarding as well as challenging at the same time. Despite a dedication to the welfare of laboratory animals, animal caregivers and scientists frequently find themselves facing the ethical dilemma of conducting necessary but potentially stressful or painful procedures. This mix of both caring for the animals while also harming them, can lead to a conflict between personal beliefs and professional responsibilities. This internal conflict can result in emotional distancing and moral stress, leading to a phenomenon called 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘨𝘶𝘦. The ability to sympathize with the animals may diminish as a form of self-protection, and can have a significant impact on mental health and job satisfaction. At the 3RCU, we work towards an animal-free future for the biomedical research field. However, we also recognize the importance of addressing current challenges in the field. As part of the NC3Rs webinar series ‘Culture of care: Creating the right environment for animal care’, we helped to produce a series of case studies (in English, French, German and Dutch). We encourage animal care staff to review these, for example as part of a team meeting. Find them via: https://lnkd.in/efraHWcy)

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝟯𝗥𝗖𝗨 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿! We're delighted to welcome Melissa and Birgit to our team. Both bring valuable expertise and enthusiasm to our workplace. Birgit joins us as project leader for online NAMs expertise, she will perform a feasibility study for an online expert pool on NAMs expertise. Melissa joins us as project leader for a Basement Membrane Extract (BME)-free database. She will map alternatives for animal-derived hydrogels and set up a database. We had the opportunity to sit down with them to discuss their roles and backgrounds, read the article here: https://lnkd.in/e6e9nRJJ Photo by Bas Kijzers