December 19, 2016
This month’s edition of Laboratory Animals (Volume 50, Issue 6, December 2016) features a special edition: Score Sheets and Postoperative Analgesia, with guest editors Huw Golledge and Paula Jirkoff.
November 16, 2016
Animal Models for Microbiome Research: Advancing Basic and Translational Science
Join the ILAR Roundtable for a free two-day workshop on December 19-20, 2016 to examine animal models of microbiome research. Invited speakers will discuss challenges of standardization and biological variability in using gnotobiotic model organisms, examine the translatability of preclinical studies to humans, identify alternative model organisms that can be used in microbiome research, and discuss strategies for expanding the infrastructure and tools for conducting studies in these types of models. Click here to view the final agenda, including speakers and topics. This workshop will be held at 500 5th Street NW, Washington, DC and will be freely available via webcast. We invite you to join us in person or via webcast.
Please register to attend today!
September 26, 2016
Efficient Breeding of Genetically Engineered Animals
The Home Office, responsible for overseeing animal-based research in the UK has developed an Assessment Framework to assist institutions consider how best to manage efficient breeding of genetically-engineered animals.
September 19, 2016
The Design of Animal Experiments: Reducing the use of animals in research through better experimental design
The Second Edition of this publication on experimental design is now available. Revised by the original authors, Michael Festing et al., The Design of Animal Experiments is intended for all research scientists who use laboratory animals, with the aim of helping them to design their own experiments more effectively and/or to improve their ability to communicate with professional statisticians when necessary.
September 12, 2016
In 2013, the NC3Rs and Newcastle University co-hosted a workshop on the welfare implications of different euthanasia methods for mice, rats and zebrafish. The recently published report presents a summary of findings presented at the meeting, an overview of the current (2016) understanding of the welfare impact of various euthanasia methods, along with recommendations to help inform good practice.
August 29, 2016
AltTox.org revised table of Validated and Accepted Alternative Methods
AltTox maintains a table of alternative methods similar to the CCAC Three Rs Microsite Alternative Test Methods Table. Both tables provide information about the alternative tests and whether regulatory agencies will accept data resulting from the use of these tests.
August 22, 2016
Head mask for cancer patients adapted as a refinement for primate research
A study published recently in the Journal of Neuroscience Methods describes a new Non-invasive Head Immobilization System (NHIS) as an alternative to surgery for macaque monkeys used in neurobiology research.
August 15, 2016
Animal models for CNS safety pharmacology under the spotlight
The pharmaceutical industry has been working to assess the relevance of rodent central nervous system (CNS) safety pharmacology studies in predicting what happens in first-in-human phase I studies. The findings published in Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology have important implications for reducing attrition in the drug development pipeline and in reducing animal use.
August 11, 2016
Automated monitoring of mouse behaviour in social home cage groups
A paper reporting a new automated home cage behavioural monitoring system for mice has been published in the journal Frontiers in Behavioural Neuroscience.
August 2, 2016
Does age matter? Working group publish findings to improve reproducibility
A recent paper published in Laboratory Animals summarises the findings of an NC3Rs expert working group investigating the consideration of rodent age in studies.
The paper reviews the factors that affect the decision on the age of the animals selected and how age can impact scientific outcomes.
July 18, 2016
SynDaver Labs Launches Synthetic Canine Model
The synthetic canine model is an anatomically accurate model that veterinary students can practice surgeries on. The canine model mimics functioning body systems, and has the capability to simulate customized diseases, illnesses and medical complications.
More information can be found on the SynDaver website.
July 11, 2016
Norecopa’s new website
Norecopa is Norway's National Consensus Platform for the advancement of "the 3 Rs" (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) in connection with animal experiments.
Norecopa's new website includes all the content of the website of the Laboratory Animal Unit at the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, four databases NORINA, TextBase, 3R Guide and Classic AVs, and all the content of Norecopa's old website (norecopa.no) as well as a brand-new intelligent search engine built specifically for the task of performing one search simultaneously in all these resources.
June 29, 2016
ICCVAM Advisory Committee to Discuss Developing a U.S. National 3Rs Strategy
The Scientific Advisory Committee on Alternative Toxicological Methods (SACATM) will meet September 27-28, 2016, at NIEHS in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. The focus of this year’s SACATM meeting will be to discuss and develop recommendations for implementing a national strategy for replacing, reducing, and refining animal use (3Rs) for regulatory testing.
The SACATM meeting is free and open to the public, and can be attended in person or viewed via webcast. An agenda, other materials, and links to registration for the upcoming meeting will be posted as they are available on the SACATM Upcoming Meetings webpage.
June 20, 2016
CAAT offering training in Tox21 technology
The Johns Hopkins University Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT) is offering courses on Tox21 and evidence-based toxicology in The Master of Science in Public Health (MSPH) Track in Toxicity Testing and Human Health Risk Assessment of Environmental Agents. MSPH is a professional degree program that provides individuals with the knowledge and tools needed to be at the forefront of the transition in human health risk assessment.
Click here for complete details, including funding details, part-time options, and admissions and degree requirements. There is still time to apply for fall 2016 admission.
June 13, 2016
Welfare of wild animals in research
Following a successful first event held in 2015, the RSPCA and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) are jointly convening a second one-day meeting on the welfare of wild animals in research - undertaken either in the wild or in captivity.
The meeting will take place on Thursday, 22 September 2016 in the south-east of England. The program will include presentations and discussion relating to reducing the impact of procedures in the field such as capture, trapping and tagging, and refining housing and care in captivity. It will also cover aspects of regulation and ethical review. You can register for this meeting by completing an online form.
May 24, 2016
Help with reporting animal-based research
Missing important details from publications can mean that results from animal-based studies cannot be replicated, and consequently more animals may be required to repeat the work. A new tool from Penelope assists researchers to report according to the most relevant checklist from the EQUATOR library, and hence assists implement the principle of Reduction.
May 16, 2016
Help with Experimental Design
Want to know the right number of animals to request for your particular study?
Check out the Experimental Design Assistant, a free resource from the NC3Rs to support researchers in the planning of animal experiments - ensuring robust study design and reliable and reproducible findings.
May 8, 2016
RSPCA focus on severe suffering
The RSPCA has recently updated their severe suffering website with two new 'Road Map' resource packs setting out practical steps to help establishments reduce and avoid 'severe' suffering.
Any comments or feedback are welcomed.
May 2, 2016
Attention veterinarians, lab technicians, animal technicians, and all who work with laboratory animals: The Johns Hopkins Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT) now is accepting proposals for the 2017 Science-based Refinement Awards.
Deadline is November 18, 2016.
April 25, 2016
The Alternatives Research and Development Foundation (ARDF) will award up to $40,000 to individual projects with the potential to significantly replace or reduce laboratory animals in research. This year, preference will be given to projects that use pathway-based approaches as exemplified by the 2007 National Academy of Sciences report, Toxicity Testing in the Twenty-first Century: A Vision and a Strategy. Applications must be received by Monday, May 2.
Guidelines and application form available here.
April 18, 2016
This paper by Cooke et al. (2016) in Reviews in Fish Biology and Fisheries (26(1):123-133) highlights issues where there is a need for greater collaboration between IACUC members (including veterinary professionals) and field researchers which would provide more reasoned, rational and useful guidance to improve or maintain the welfare status of fishes used in field research while enabling researchers to pursue fundamental and applied questions related to the biology of fish in the field.
April 4, 2016
Guidelines to minimize disturbance of colonial-breeding waterbirds during research activities
The latest edition of Picoides, the newsletter for the Society of Canadian Ornithologists, provides guidance to minimize disturbance of colonial-breeding waterbirds during research activities (pg 10-12). Seabirds and waterbirds are particularly vulnerable to the effects of human disturbance. These guidelines are designed to increase awareness of the sensitivities of Canada’s seabird and waterbird colonies to disturbance, provide information on the applicable legal protection, and provide guidance on appropriate behaviour to follow when near breeding colonies of seabirds and waterbirds in order to avoid and minimize disturbance.
See also the section on birds in the Three Rs Microsite.
March 21, 2016
A team at King’s College London, are pioneering an in vitro freshwater gill system in the lab. This technique, published in Nature Protocols, provides a more humane way to study the impacts of environmental hazards on freshwater fish, whilst reducing the number of fish needed. The technique was developed as part of an NC3Rs project grant award to Professor Christer Hogstrand and others, along with a CASE studentship to Dr Nic Bury from the UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC).
March 14, 2016
The International Foundation for Ethical Research (IFER) is accepting pre-proposal applications for its Graduate Student Fellowships for Alternatives to the Use of Animals in Science. These fellowships are awarded to students enrolled in master’s or Ph.D. programs in life or social sciences or humanities whose programs of study show potential to replace the use of animals in science. Pre-proposal applications are due April 29. Submission of full proposals is by invitation only.
March 7, 2016
A new e-learning resource focusing on the assessment of laboratory animal welfare, particularly genetically altered neonates has been created by Professor Paul Flecknell and his team at Newcastle University. With funding from the NC3Rs this tool will help researchers and animal care staff to identify signs of good and poor welfare in research animals.
February 29, 2016
The Humane Endpoints website is now available in four languages with the Spanish translation recently released. The website aims to help recognize humane endpoints in laboratory animals.
This resource and other information on human endpoints is available on the CCAC Three Rs Microsite.
February 22, 2016
The 3Rs in the quality control of human vaccines: EURL ECVAM releases summary of ongoing projects.
Read the report.
February 16, 2016
Focus on severe suffering
An international conference hosted by the RSPCA on June 16-17, 2016 in Brussels, Belgium.
Due to sponsorship generously donated to the RSPCA, there will be NO delegate fee charged for attending. However, places are limited and those with direct involvement in the regulation, care and use of animals will be prioritized.
This event is scheduled to directly follow the conclusion of FELASA Congress 2016.
Click here to register.
February 8, 2016
Online Laboratory Animal Science Masters Program
The Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, VA, has started an Online Laboratory Animal Science (LAS) Master’s Program and will graduate its first class in May 2016. This program is designed to assist students pursuing their careers in animal science including facility management, research and veterinary medicine.
Applications submitted by March 1, 2016 will be considered for early admission to upcoming Class of 2018.
Click here to apply.
February 1, 2016
Co-hosted by USDA, OLAW, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Division of Veterinary Resources NIH, and the Johns Hopkins Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine Valley Hall Davis, California on March 17-18, 2016.
Registration includes an optional Primate facility tour on March 16th. Attendee registration closes February 29, 2016.
For further information, please contact Jamie DeRita.
January 18, 2016
Comfortable Quarters -- Obtain a free copy of Animal Welfare Institute’s Guide for laboratory animal care personnel on the humane housing and handling of individual animal species in research facilities; edited by Cathy Liss, Kenneth Litwak, Dave Tilford & Viktor Reinhardt; 2015; 10th edition; 239 pages.
January 25, 2016
Hosted by the Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing at Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health, Baltimore on April 12-14, 2016. Those interested in attending are encouraged to register early, as attendance will be limited to 300 participants.
Abstracts are being accepted for oral and poster presentations; new deadline is January 31, 2016.
For more information and to register, email Jamie DeRita.
January 11, 2016
Winners of the 2015 Dorothy Hegarty Award (for the best publication in the journal ATLA) are from Montréal.
Read the winning paper.
Guo T., Lok K-Y., Yu C. & Li Z. (2014) Lung fibrosis: Drug screening and disease marker identification with lung slice culture model and subtracted cDNA library ATLA 42: 235-243.
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December 21, 2015
Take the open-access course Enhancing Humane Science-Improving Animal Research produced by Johns Hopkins University Centre for Alternatives to Animal Testing providing an overview of diverse topics in the practice of and approaches to humane animal experimentation.
December 17, 2015
Read the NC3Rs Roadmap of non-animal technologies (NATs) to learn how NATs might be developed for efficacy and safety testing.
December 7, 2015
Read this AltTox.org summary of research on needs and strategies for nanomaterial safety assessments.
November 30, 2015
The RSPCA/LASA/LAVA/IAT have produced a Severe Suffering web resource to provide information and resources that will help avoid severe suffering for animals used in science.
November 23, 2015
The most recent issue of ALTEX is now online.
November 16, 2015
The international NC3Rs Prize is awarded to highlight an outstanding original contribution to scientific and technological advances in the 3Rs in medical, biological or veterinary sciences published within the last three years.
Apply here before Nov 19, 2015 nomination deadline.
November 2, 2015
Read about the Alternatives Research & Development Foundation research award winners for 2015.
October 26, 2015
Newly published analysis by Macleod M. et al. (2015) highlights the Risk of bias in reports of in vivo research.
Read more about Experimental Design.
October 19, 2015
Read this AltTox.org summary of research on the first use of humpback whale cell lines to assess toxicity of a compound known to accumulate in this species.
October 13, 2015
Browse the online Experimental Design Assistant, a new NC3Rs resource to support researchers in the planning of animal experiments.
October 9, 2015
Changes in facial expression provide a reliable and rapid means of assessing pain in mice and rats – learn about Grimace Scales.
September 28, 2015
Learn how the Three Rs is driving new science with these project examples from the NC3Rs research portfolio.
September 14, 2015
Read this AltTox.org summary of a new article on non-animal approaches for acute toxicity prediction across multiple species.
August 31, 2015
Read the latest issue of Animal Welfare.
August 24, 2015
Visit the NC3Rs new Microsampling web resource to learn how microsampling techniques can contribute to reduction and refinement.
August 10, 2015
A new, open-access review of applying refinement to the use of mice and rats in rheumatoid arthritis research is now available.
August 3, 2015
Read the latest issue of ALTEX.
July 27, 2015
A new strategy for achieving Three Rs impact in the assessment of toxicokinetics and systemic toxicity has been proposed for Europe.
July 20, 2015
Read this AltTox.org summary of research on the creation of human hepatocyte-like cells with a longer life span and the ability of these new cells to predict drug-induced liver injury.
July 13, 2015
A recent paper in PLOS Biology examines the challenges of moving away from animal models in safety testing.
Burden N., Sewell F. and Chapman K. (2015) Testing chemical safety: what Is needed to ensure the widespread application of non-animal approaches? PLoS Biol 13(5): e1002156. doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.1002156
The Three Rs microsite Alternative Test Methods Table summarizes available alternatives to animal-based regulatory test methods.
July 7, 2015
Correspondence in the June 11, 2015 issue of Nature discusses the importance of sharing surplus animal tissue.
Review the Three Rs microsite best practice recommendations to facilitate sharing of animals and animal tissues at Canadian institutions
June 22, 2015
Call for nominations for the 2015 Lush Science Prize for work conducted on replacement methods for toxicity testing.
Deadline is July 24, 2015.
June 22, 2015
Call for nominations for AAALAC’s 2015 Global 3Rs Awards Programs.
Deadline is July 1, 2015.
June 15, 2015
Visit The Macaque Website a newly launched NC3Rs resource on macaque care and welfare covering the life history of rhesus and cynomolgus macaques, their behaviour, captive management and tools for welfare assessment.
June 8, 2015
Read this AltTox.org summary of research on using stem cells to form human mini-lung organoids.
June 2, 2015
The latest issue of Perspectives in Laboratory Animal Science (PiLAS) is now available.
May 11, 2015
The UK reports on how they are Working to reduce the use of animals in scientific research.
May 4, 2015
Read this summary of the UK ban on testing of household products on animals provided by www.AltTox.org.
April 27, 2015
The NC3Rs 2014 Annual report is now available.
April 7, 2015
Read this overview of the NC3Rs publication bias workshop held in February 2015.
March 30, 2015
The RSPCA has now published a resource book for lay members of ethical review and similar bodies worldwide.
March 16, 2015
An International Alliance for Biological Standardization (IABS) conference '3Rs Alternatives and Consistency Approach in Vaccine Lot Release Testing' will be held in the Netherlands, September 16 – 18, 2015. Further details can be found on the IABS website.
March 9, 2015
Funding opportunity: The International Foundation for Ethical Research (IFER) Graduate Fellowship Program for Alternatives to the Use of Animals in Science pre-proposal deadline is April 20, 2015.
March 3, 2015
CALAS/ACSAL Awards Program 2015 application deadline is March 20, 2015
New laboratory animal anesthesia e-learning resource from Newcastle University.
January 26, 2015
Read the latest ILAR Journal open access special issue Experimental Design and Statistics.
January 19, 2015
Funding opportunity: The American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) is accepting applications for the AALAS Grants for Laboratory Animal Science (GLAS). Deadline to apply is January 25, 2015.
Review additional opportunities for Three Rs funding.
January 12, 2015
Read the latest issue of the ALTEX Journal.
January 6, 2015
A compelling case for Why biomedical science must reduce the number of animals used is made.
To help identify strategies to reduce animal use in Canadian science browse Reduction Alternatives and CCAC's Best Practice Recommendations: Facilitating Sharing of Animals and Animal Tissues.
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December 1, 2014
An updated Three Rs resource about genetically altered mice has been published by the NC3Rs.
November 24, 2014
Read the Science editorial Journals unite for reproducibility and find out why journals are adopting this common set of Principles and Guidelines in Reporting Preclinical Research.
November 17, 2014
Read AltTox’s new Journal Watch feature which highlights recent journal articles that advance the development or evaluation of non-animal toxicity test methods and approaches.
Additional information on non-animal and alternative testing methods can be found in the Alternative Test Methods Table.
November 11, 2014
Funding opportunity: The American Fund for Alternatives to Animal Research (AFAAR) is accepting applications for the 2015-16 Fellowship Grant for Alternatives to Animal Research in Women’s Health and Sex Differences.
Deadline to apply is December 15, 2014.
October 27, 2014
Read the new 10-year strategic plan to advance the Three Rs recently published by the UK’s NC3Rs.
October 20, 2014
A recent Nature News Blog discusses Work still needed to reduce animals in research.
Browse strategies for investigators to reduce animal use.
October 14, 2014
Visit the redesigned AltTox website for current information about non-animal methods for toxicity testing.
October 6, 2014
Read about the seven principles for establishing an Institutional framework for the Three Rs developed by the NC3Rs.
October 3, 2014
The September 2014 issue of Perspectives in Laboratory Animal Science (PiLAS) is now online.
September 22, 2014
Call for proposals for CAAT 2015 Science-based Refinement Awards — Deadline is October 17, 2014.
For other Three Rs research funding opportunities see the Three Rs Microsite Funding page.
September 15, 2014
The American Association of Laboratory Animal Scientists National Meeting scientific program includes many sessions related to refinement of animal care.
Refinement information can also be found in the Care & Techniques and Animal Index sections of the Three Rs microsite.
September 11, 2014
Read about how one animal-based science company works to create a culture of care.
August 25, 2014
The Society of Toxicology (SOT) Awards deadline is October 9, 2014.
Visit the Three Rs Microsite Funding page to view more details on this and other Three Rs research funding opportunities.
August 19, 2014
A new database of Three Rs resources has been produced by Norecopa and the USDA Animal Welfare Information Center.
August 11, 2014
The 9th World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences scientific program includes a theme on Ethics.
Information related to the ethical evaluation of protocols can also be found in the Animal Care Committees section of the Three Rs microsite.
August 5, 2014
Winners of the Alternatives Research & Development Foundation (ARDF) 2014 Alternatives Research Grants have been announced.
July 29, 2014
The 9th World Congress on Alternatives and Animal Use in the Life Sciences scientific program includes a theme on Refinement & Welfare.
Refinement information can also be found in the Care & Techniques and Animal Index sections of the Three Rs microsite.
July 22, 2014
Call for proposals for CAAT 2015 Science-based Refinement Awards — Deadline October 17, 2014.
For other Three Rs research funding opportunities see the Three Rs Microsite Funding page.
July 15, 2014
Read the newly published paper The Need for Randomization in Animal Trials: An Overview of Systematic Reviews by Hirst et al. 2014.
Learn more about Systematic Reviews and Experimental Design.
July 8, 2014
The US granting agency NIH is now developing policies to require that a balance of male and female cells and animals be used in preclinical studies in all future grant applications.
June 25, 2014
Training for personnel should include information on how to search for Three Rs information. Please see the CCAC’s Three Rs Search guide, a comprehensive search tool which may also be useful for training purposes.
June 23, 2014
The final review of the draft CCAC guidelines on: training of personnel involved in the use of animals in science (formerly the CCAC guidelines on: institutional animal user training) has been posted for a review. We invite you to send your comments by July 21, 2014.
May 21, 2014
Watch this video paper showing how to use nest building as an indicator of health and welfare in laboratory mice.
This link will also be added as a resource to the Three Rs microsite pages Welfare Assessment and Mice.
May 5, 2014
The NC3Rs has set up a working group to establish the impact of rodent age on study outcome to improve experimental design and reduce animal use where possible. As part of this initiative they are conducting a survey on rodent age and reasons for the choice of age.
April 17, 2014
A recent NC3Rs blog post shares the success of an animal resource sharing program in reducing animal use in ageing research.
To help identify opportunities for sharing animal resources in Canadian science, review the CCAC's Best Practice Recommendations: Facilitating Sharing of Animals and Animal Tissues.
April 9, 2014
The Royal Society of Chemistry has published a new book:
Reducing, Refining and Replacing the Use of Animals in Toxicity Testing.
March 20, 2014
Three new CCAC best practice resources related to genetically engineered animals are now available:
March 11, 2014
Three Rs-related Research Funding Opportunities.
March 5, 2014
Recent papers point to the commonly used anesthetic and euthanizing agent TMS (MS-222) as being aversive to zebrafish. The papers point to clove oil and metomidate hydrochloride (or etomidate) as being less aversive alternatives.
The CCAC guidelines on: the care and use of fish in research, teaching and testing point to both MS-222 and metomidate as acceptable anesthetics, registered for veterinary use with fish in Canada. While clove oil is not registered, it is included (with MS-222 and metomidate) as an acceptable method of euthanasia in the CCAC guidelines on: euthanasia.
February 26, 2014
To help identify opportunities for sharing animal resources in Canadian science, the CCAC has now published:
February 19, 2014
Research funding proposals are now being accepted from CALAS and/or CALAM members for new analgesia or anesthesia-related research projects ranging from $3000-5000 per project. The deadline to submit is April 4, 2014.
Learn more
February 18, 2014
Read this open-access paper Kilkenny et al. (2014) Improving Bioscience Research Reporting: the ARRIVE Guidelines for Reporting Animal Research
February 10, 2014
NC3Rs Blog: New tools - new implication for the 3Rs.
January 30, 2014
The Animal Welfare Information Center has updated the Environmental Enrichment for Nonhuman Primates Resource Guide.
January 13, 2014
Registration and Abstract submission for the 9th World Congress on Alternatives to Animal Use in the Life Sciences is now open.
January 8, 2014
Visit the newly redesigned website for the NTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods.
January 7, 2014
February 1, 2014 is the deadline for applying for Grants for Laboratory Animal Science from AALAS.
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