3Rs is defined as all strategies used to decrease the use of animals in experimentation. 3Rs encompass the strategies of replacement, reduction and refinement. The term replacement includes the use of advanced in vitro models, replacing animal serum in cell culture, and implementation of computational models. Strategies to reduce animal experiments may involve the use of optimal biostatistical models, standardized protocols, historical controls and tissue sharing while the refinement of animal experiments promote animal wellbeing and decrease discomfort. Elaborated cell culture models have been developed to predict effects in humans but validation of these models is problematic because human data are scarcely available.
From the current perspective, it appears unrealistic that some research questions can be answered without performing animal experiments. The complexity of behavior, immune system and metabolism can only partly be mimicked by cellular studies. It should, however, also not be neglected that the value of data from animal experiments may be limited by inter-species differences. Less radical changes than complete replacement of animal experiments appear possible and will save the lives or improve the wellbeing of animals. One example would be the replacement of animal serum in cell culture by alternative additives e.g. human platelet lysate. The goal of this Research Topic is to collect new ideas to replace the use of animals or to obtain more insight into the physiology of laboratory animals to enable more adequate housing and better experimental conditions. Tissue banks are an established tool for researchers for human studies but may also serve as a tool to reduce animal experiments.
The scope of the Research Topic is focused on all 3Rs. Submissions can cover themes including but not limited to:
- Preclinical imaging, adaptation of the experimental conditions and housing to the needs of animals
- Anesthesia and analgesia protocols, human endpoints, use of invertebrates,
- Ex vivo studies and advanced cellular models
- multiple readouts
- Strategies for tissue sharing and tissue banks
- Improved experimental procedures and development of standard protocols.
- Changes in documentation and monitoring of animal studies (e.g. role of animal welfare bodies) can also be reported.
3Rs is defined as all strategies used to decrease the use of animals in experimentation. 3Rs encompass the strategies of replacement, reduction and refinement. The term replacement includes the use of advanced in vitro models, replacing animal serum in cell culture, and implementation of computational models. Strategies to reduce animal experiments may involve the use of optimal biostatistical models, standardized protocols, historical controls and tissue sharing while the refinement of animal experiments promote animal wellbeing and decrease discomfort. Elaborated cell culture models have been developed to predict effects in humans but validation of these models is problematic because human data are scarcely available.
From the current perspective, it appears unrealistic that some research questions can be answered without performing animal experiments. The complexity of behavior, immune system and metabolism can only partly be mimicked by cellular studies. It should, however, also not be neglected that the value of data from animal experiments may be limited by inter-species differences. Less radical changes than complete replacement of animal experiments appear possible and will save the lives or improve the wellbeing of animals. One example would be the replacement of animal serum in cell culture by alternative additives e.g. human platelet lysate. The goal of this Research Topic is to collect new ideas to replace the use of animals or to obtain more insight into the physiology of laboratory animals to enable more adequate housing and better experimental conditions. Tissue banks are an established tool for researchers for human studies but may also serve as a tool to reduce animal experiments.
The scope of the Research Topic is focused on all 3Rs. Submissions can cover themes including but not limited to:
- Preclinical imaging, adaptation of the experimental conditions and housing to the needs of animals
- Anesthesia and analgesia protocols, human endpoints, use of invertebrates,
- Ex vivo studies and advanced cellular models
- multiple readouts
- Strategies for tissue sharing and tissue banks
- Improved experimental procedures and development of standard protocols.
- Changes in documentation and monitoring of animal studies (e.g. role of animal welfare bodies) can also be reported.
