 |
de | fr | en print view
Archive
| Publication of Annual Report for 2008 (July 2009) | |
 | On 28 May 2009 the Administrative Board approved the Annual Report on the Foundation’s activities during 2008 as well as the financial statements for the year. A total of CHF 553,360.00 was allotted to research projects, while 6 new projects were approved for funding and two final reports were submitted. Annual Report for 2008 | PDF version |
| Refined ex-vivo rodent heart model reduces in vivo experimentation (June 2009) | |
 | 3R-Info-Bulletin 40 Dr. Anna Bogdanova and her team developed a mini-oxygenator for rodent hearts. This will enable investigations to be carried out on isolated hearts perfused with autologous blood (from the same animal) in connection with heart disease. Until now such investigations have involved considerable suffering for the animals used (heterotopic heart transplants).3R-Info Bulletin 40 | Project 102-06 |
| New project (May 2009) | |
 | Engineering of a human brain tumor model to replace animal experimentation The aim of this project is to combine brain-like tissue reconstructed from human stem cells (engineered neural tissue = ENT) with glioblastoma-like tumour tissue (engineered glial tumours = EGT). This should produce an in vitro model that can be used for examining the interactions between human brain and tumour cells in vitro and testing potential organ-specific cytostatic drugs. The researchers expect that the result will enable the number of corresponding animal models that involve a severe degree of suffering to be reduced.Dr. Olivier Preynat, Department of Pathology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva Project 115-09 |
| Completion of a project (May 2009) | |
 | Adjuvanticity of microbial-derived particles and synthetic analogs in vitro Certain adjuvants that stimulate the immune system may at the same time have toxic side-effects. In order to reduce the testing of such unwanted side-effects in animals, the research team have developed a three-tier cell culture system using human blood cells (monocytes, dendritic cells and T-cells), which can be used to identify potential unwanted toxic side-effects as well as the desired characteristics that stimulate the immune system. As a result, the use of animals in in vivo testing will become practically superfluous.Prof. Elisabetta Padovan, Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciência, Oeiras, Portugal Project 92-04 |
| Completion of a project (May 2009) | |
 | Assessment of pain and stress in mice by monitoring gene expression changes This would lay the foundations for developing new ways of recognising pain. Two hundred genes were examined using micro-array technology and 27 genes were examined using the more sensitive RT-PCR (real-time polymerase chain reaction) method. No significant differences were observed between gene expression in selected areas of the brain in animals after and before surgical intervention.Dr. Paolo Cinelli, Institute of Laboratory Animal Science, University of Zurich Project 96-05 | 3R-Info Bulletin 39 |
| Completion of a project (May 2009) | |
 | Development of an in-vitro system for modeling bioaccumulation of neutral, ionizable, and metabolically Isolated, autologous blood-perfused heart: Replacement of heterotopic heart transplantation In this project the research team successfully developed an ex vivo model of a rat heart that can be perfused using autologous blood (from the same animal). This method will enable tests to be carried out ex vivo which until now caused the laboratory animals considerable stress and pain (heterotopic heart transplants).Dr. Anna Bogdanova, Institute of Veterinary Physiology, University of Zurich Project 102-06 | 3R-Info Bulletin 40 |
| Completion of a project (May 2009) | |
 | Development of in vitro strategies to propagate and characterize hemotrophic mycoplasmas The aim of this project was to replace the ethically dubious propagation of haemotrophic mycoplasmas in host animals (e.g. pigs) with an in vitro culture system for M. suis. Using a mycoplasma-specific medium, with the addition of fetal calf serum, porcine embryonic extract and transferrin, the team succeeded in maintaining continuous growth in M. suis. As a result, the characteristics of M.suis could be examined without prior propagation in host animals.Prof. Regina Hofmann-Lehmann, Clinical Laboratory, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich Project 104-06 |
| Completion of a project (May 2009) | |
 | Standardization and Pre-validation of MucilAir: A novel in vitro cell model of the human airway epithelium for testing acute and chronic effects of chemical compounds The MucilAir culture system, which consists of a human lung epithelium with ciliated epithelium, was successfully tested. Protocols were further standardised and a dose-effect relationship was obtained for each of 9 reference substances (from the EU AcuteTox project). The cultured cells showed a stable phenotype and retained their organ-specific characteristics.Dr. Song Huang, Epithelix Sàrl, Plan-les-Ouates, Switzerland Project 106-07 |
| New project (March 2009) | |
 | Establishment of an organ ex-vivo tissue slice model for cardiovascular research in particular for therapeutic atherosclerosis targeting Research into atherosclerosis (causes of the disease, possible therapies, nanomedicine) requires the use of a large number of laboratory animals. In Prof. Patrick Hunziker’s research team at the Basle University Hospital arteries are extracted from mice that lack the ApoE gene and human material, placed in a culture medium and then further examined. In this way it is possible not only to use fewer animals but also to determine whether differences exist between the clinical picture of the disease in mice and humans.Prof. Patrick Hunziker and Dr. K. Bänziger, University Hospital, Basle Project 111-08 |
| New project (March 2009) | |
A novel in vitro model for holistic assessment and optimisation of engineered tissue for functional cartilage repair The aim of this project is, on the one hand, to examine synthetic cartilage from the point of view of function and characteristics and, on the other, to determine whether the new cartilage can fuse well with existing healthy cartilage. Normally, laboratory animals would be required for this purpose. The cell culture methods to be developed in this project should make it possible to carry out much of the research in vitro. It is also intended to further develop these alternative methods for use in routine testing.Dr. Zhijie Luo and Prof. Jennifer Kirkham, Leeds Dental Institute, University of Leeds (UK) Project 112-08 | |
| New project (March 2009) | |
 | Generic in vitro evaluation assay for immunological correlates of protection, to replace animal challenge infection Foot-and-mouth disease antigens can vary enormously. In order to ensure that vaccination is successful it is necessary to tailor the vaccine to the latest viral sub-type and to test it on animals (challenge infection experiments). In order to replace the animal testing, a new and reliable in vitro test is being developed. The project is being carried out as part of a EU consortium with access to serum from vaccinated animals, reagents and mAbs. This means that international validation of the in vitro test will not require the use of additional animals.Dr. Kenneth McCullough and Dr. A. Summerfield, Institute of Virology and Immunoprophylaxis (IVI), Mittelhäusern Project 113-08 |
| New project (March 2009) | |
 | Reducing the number of fish and their suffering during acute toxicity testing of potential environmental pollutants (OECD Guideline no. 203). In acute toxicity testing on fish (OECD Protocol no. 203) excessively high or low doses of the test substance are often included in testing procedures. The aim of this project is to reduce the range of doses used through a retrospective analysis of historical data concerning hundreds of agricultural and industrial chemicals and by using statistical methods and simulated experiments, and at the same time to obtain equally reliable information about the toxicity of potential environmental pollutants. This would result in a drop of between 10 and 30% in the number of fish required for testing.Dr. Hans Rufli, ecotoxsolutions, Basle Project 114-08 | OECD Guideline 203 |
| Demonstration of pain in mice using gene expression? (February 2009) | |
 | 3R-Info Bulletin 39 Dr. Paulo Cinelli and Igor Asner from the Institute of Laboratory Animal Science at the University of Zurich have tried to identify the genes involved in pain characterisation and its expression in mice. They expected to develop the basics for easy-to-use tests for pain recognition. This is a prerequisite for prescribing pain relief (if appropriate) at the right time and in an adequate dosage. Over 200 different genes in specific parts of the brain were examined using two different methods. So far no specific pain gene has been identified and no pain-dependent expression has been observed. The results provide a valuable basis for further research that has already been planned.3R-Info Bulletin 39 | Project 96-05 |
| New member of the Evaluation Committee (December 2008) | |
 | On 11 December 2008 the Board elected Dr. Stefanie Schindler, a vet and biologist who is a member of the Animalfree Research Foundation in Zurich, to the Evaluation Committee. Evaluation committee |
| Recognising the harmful effects of foreign particles and gaseous substances in cultured lung cells (October 2008) | |
 | 3R-Info Bulletin 38 Prof. Marianne Geiser Kamber and her research team from the University of Berne isolated cells from the lungs of pigs for slaughter and developed organ-typical cultures, where in vivo conditions could be accurately replicated. Not only epithelial cells but also macrophages and epithelial secretion were obtained, the latter two being important for eliminating foreign particles from the lungs.Not only will the use of this method lead to many animal tests becoming superfluous but it will also provide information about the processes involved in the harmful effects of substances. 3R-Info Bulletin 38 | Project 89-03 |
| START-UP 2nd Scientific Meeting in Basle (September 2008) | |
 | Scientific and technological issues in 3Rs alternatives research in the process of drug development and union politics The second Scientific Meeting under the auspices of the EU Start-Up project took place on 5 September 2008 at Novartis Ltd in Basle. Under the chairmanship of Prof. Peter Maier, 30 scientists from Europe and the USA, representing seven pharmaceutical companies, met to draw up proposals as to how the 3Rs could be further developed and put to use in disease models involving laboratory animals.A summary of the successful meeting can be found in a report by Ecopa, which initiated the idea. The proposals should help to define future key points in EU projects relating to the 3Rs. |
| Publication of Annual Report for 2007 (July 2008) | |
 | On 5 May 2008 the Administrative Board approved the Annual Report for 2007 concerning the Foundation’s activities during the previous year and the annual financial statements. Fr. 643 800.00 was paid out for research activities in 2007. In addition, the Foundation’s 20th anniversary was the focal point of the year’s activities. Annual Report for 2007 | PDF version |
| Determining the bioconcentration of chemicals in fish in vitro (June 2008) | |
 | 3R-Info Bulletin 37 Dr. Beate Escher and her research team used the PAMPA (parallel artificial membrane permeability assay) in vitro system and developed the test further until the diffusion conditions largely corresponded to those found in the gills of fish. This new testing procedure avoids sacrificing a large number of fish and can now be used to determine the environmental dangers posed by chemicals (OECD Test 305).3R-Info Bulletin 37 | Project 100-06 |
| New project (May 2008) | |
 | Evaluation of lipid fractions for the substitution of serum in cell culture media Substituting fetal calf serum in tissue and cell culture media would lead to two major improvements: no fetuses would be required to obtain the serum and it would be easier to reproduce the results from the tissue and cell cultures. Lipid fractions would be a feasible substitute. Cell cultures are used to determine which fraction(s) are best suited to replace the serum.Prof. Paul Honegger and Dr. Marie-Gabrielle Zurich, Department of Physiology, University of Lausanne, Switzerland Project 109-08 |
| New project (May 2008) | |
 | Development of an in-vitro assay for the screening of antischistosomal drugs Schistosomiasis is caused by various trematodes which are pathogenic in humans. Research to find potential drugs to treat this disease normally involves juvenile and adult schistosomes obtained from infected mice or hamsters. The aim of this project is to determine whether it is possible to replace the use of schistosomes by a test involving schistosomula isolated from the initial host (snails). If this proves possible, it would no longer be necessary to infect mammals to screen for possible drugs.Prof. Jennifer Keiser, Swiss Tropical Institute, University of Basle, Switzerland Project 110-08 |
| New expert (May 2008) | |
 | On 5 May 2008 the Administrative Board elected Prof. Andrew Hemphill from the Institute of Parasitology of the University of Berne to the Evaluation Committee. Evaluation committee |
| Experts’ Meeting on Animal Models and 3R in Basle (March 2008) | |
 | The 3R Research Foundation is organising a meeting of selected experts from the pharmaceutical industry and universities, in Basle on 5 September 2008. This experts’ meeting is part of the ecopa Start-Up Project: Scientific and technological issues in 3Rs; Alternatives research in the process of drug development and union politics. Specific aspects of "3Rs bottlenecks in animal disease models" will be discussed. Invitation - Registration Form |
| New project (March 2008) | |
 | In vitro fish hepatocytes as a source of metabolic clearance data in alternative approaches for the reduction or replacement of in vivo bioaccumulation testing with fish. Predictions concerning the bioaccumulation of pollutants in vitro are not reliable if the substances are metabolised in fish. This project is attempting to standardise cultures of isolated hepatocytes from rainbow trout in order to be able to accurately predict the metabolism of test substances in vitro; 5 different reference substances are being used.Prof. Helmut Segner, Fish and Wildlife Medicine, University of Berne Project 108-07 |
| Completion of a project (March 2008) | |
 | Development of an in-vitro system for modeling bioaccumulation of neutral, ionizable, and metabolically active organic pollutants in fish It is essential to be able to determine the potential bioconcentration of pollutants in fish for assessing environmental risks (OECD Test 305). A large number of fish is required for this purpose.Dr. Beate Escher, Environmental Toxicology, EAWAG , Dübendorf The PAMPA (parallel artificial membrane permeability assay) in vitro system was further developed as part of this project. Using a selected artificial membrane (polydimethylsiloxane), an optimum stirring technique (oxygenation) and appropriate calculation methods, the research team succeeded in simulating the diffusion conditions that exist in the gills of fish. With the exception of substances that were metabolised in the fish, the level of permeability of 14 reference substances corresponded closely to the rate of elimination measured in vivo. Project 100-06 |
| Completion of a project (March 2008) | |
 | In vitro replica of the inner surface of the lungs, for the study of particle-cell interaction. This project studied ways of culturing tracheal epithelial cells and macrophages from porcine lungs. This facilitates the in vitro clarification of the adverse or therapeutic effects of nanoparticles in the lung. Consequently, inhalation studies in laboratory animals (mostly rodents) are unnecessary, or at least the number of such studies can be drastically reduced. In order to characterise the effects of aerosols, morphological and physiological changes in the cells were measured, including cilia activity, the production of cytokines and the extent of necrotic cell death. These studies will be continued as part of the international POLYOSA project.Prof. Marianne Geiser Kamber, Institute of Anatomy, University of Berne Project 89-03 |
| New Chairwoman of the Administrative Board (January 2008) | |
 | On 6 December 2007 the Administrative Board accepted the resignation of Dr. Hugo Wick as Chairman and thanked him warmly for his untiring work on its behalf. It subsequently elected Mrs. Christine Egerszegi-Obrist, member of the Radical Democrat Party and of the Council of States and formerly Deputy Chairwoman, to succeed him. Administrative Board |
| New Member of the Administrative Board (January 2008) | |
 | Also on 6 December 2007, the Board accepted the resignation of Dr. Peter Heer and thanked him for his services. Mrs. Silvia Matile-Steiner, a lawyer with F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG in Basle, was elected to the Administrative Board in his place. Administrative Board |
| Completion of a project (January 2008) | |
Development of a QSAR model for classification and prediction of baseline toxicity and of uncoupling of energy transduction The toxicity of chemical substances in the environment may depend on their effects on energy metabolism in cells (uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylisation). A quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) can be calculated for such substances. This enables the toxicity of the substances to be quantified, thus eliminating the need for a large proportion of experiments involving laboratory animals.Project 95-05 | |
| Completion of a project (January 2008) | |
 | A non-mammalian system to study bacterial infections The research team has succeeded in determining the virulence of bacteria in single-cell amoebae (Dictyostelium). The virulence of selected bacteria in amoebae and rodents was shown to be similar. The same genes are involved in immunity mechanisms in amoebae and mammals. As a result, many of the most invasive infection experiments are no longer necessary.A generally comprehensible summary of the results was included in 3R-Info Bulletin 36. Project 90-03 |
| It is possible to study the interaction between the host and the pathogen in amoebae instead of using laboratory animals. (January 2008) | |
 | 3R-Info Bulletin 36 Experiments using mice and rats to examine the virulence of bacteria are highly invasive for the animals. The summary in the Bulletin indicates that many such experiments can be carried out as effectively using amoebae (Dictyostelium) as well as flies (Drosophila melanogaster) or worms (Caenorhabitis elegans). The system in the amoeba is extremely easy to use and can be adapted to the special requirements of bacteria (e.g. including fish pathogens).3R-Info Bulletin 36 |
| Press Conference held on 29. 8. 2007 (September 2007) | |
 | 20th Anniversary of the 3R Research Foundation On 29 August 2007 the 3R Research Foundation held a press conference in Berne where the new 3R brochure was presented.“Good science with less animal experimentation“ Hugo Wick, the President of the Foundation, Christine Egerszegi, President of the National Council and Vice-President of the Foundation, Thomas Hartung, Director of ECVAM, Hans Wyss, Director of the Federal Veterinary Office and Thomas Cueni, Secretary General of Interpharma, each illustrated from his or her own viewpoint the past 20 years of pioneering research and dialogue in connection with animal protection and science. |
| Scientific Jubilee Meeting: 3Rs = Better Science (September 2007) | |
 | To mark this 20th anniversary, the 3R Research Foundation and the Swiss Laboratory Animal Science Association (SGV) organised a scientific meeting, in collaboration with the Association for Training in Laboratory Animal Welfare and the Animal Keepers’and Technical Staff Interest Group, at the Zurich-Irchel University on 3 and 4 September 2007. The 2-day meeting was attended by over 400 people; 39 speakers presented papers and led workshops.The 3R sessions that were organised by the 3R Research Foundation were attended by over 260 people. The 14 invited speakers, who presented various interdisciplinary topics, captivated their audience. |
| Summaries of the papers given (September 2007) | |
 | All participants at the scientific meeting to mark the 20th Anniversary of the 3R Research Foundation and the 20th Anniversary of the Swiss Laboratory Animal Science Association (SGV) were given summaries of the papers presented. The first day of the meeting was devoted to the topic of “Humane Endpoints“. Opinions and experience were exchanged in two parallel sessions and 4 workshops. On the second day, the 3Rs were debated from every point of view.The summaries of the papers given have been collated in a 70-page brochure. The various papers given in the 3R sessions start on page 29. |
| New 3R brochure (August 2007) | |
 | Good science with less animal experimentation In the form of a generally understandable and up-to-date publication, the brochure presents the 3R principles (replace, reduce, refine), whose implementation has been promoted by the 3R Research Foundation during the past 20 years. On 36 pages the brochure deals with the problems and limits of replacing animal experiments by alternative methods; it also describes past achievements as well as future possibilities and expectations. The brochure can be obtained free of charge from the Foundation Secretariat in German, French and English. Enquiries to: secretary.3r@bluewin.ch. Brochure (PDF) |
| Special issue of ALTEX (August 2007) | |
 | In order to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the 3R Research Foundation, a number of reports on successfully completed as well as ongoing projects are summarized in a special issue of ALTEX. The 20 selected projects, which have been carried out in the course of the Foundation’s 20 years of activities, testify to the sustainability of support received. The abstracts of the ongoing 17 projects point to the results expected in the future.Editors: Peter Maier and Franz P. Gruber The special issue can be obtained free of charge from the Foundation Secretariat. Enquiries to: secretary.3r@bluewin.ch. Special issue of ALTEX (PDF) |
| New project (July 2007) | |
 | Evaluation of an in vitro model to identify host parameters associated with virulence of Toxoplasma gondii strains. Toxoplasmosis is an infectious disease in humans. It is caused by the Toxoplasma gondii parasites. The virulence of Toxoplasma gondii strains is to be determined in cultures with human bowel cells. At present only a test with mice is available for the determination of the infection’s virulence. In future this could be replaced by a cell culture test.Dr. S. D’Souza and V. Marambudi, Pasteur Institute, Brussels, Belgium Project 107-07 |
| New project (July 2007) | |
 | Standardization and Prevalidation of MucilAir: A novel in vitro model of the human airway epithelium for testing acute and chronic effects of chemical compounds. A worldwide recognized toxicity investigation of chemicals can only be carried out by means of validated tests. In order to investigate lung toxicity, a culture system using cells from the human airway epithelium has been developed by the Epithelix Company (MucilAir). In a first step, this in vitro procedure must pass a prevalidation test so that it can be adopted by the ECVAM in Europe-wide validation proceedings. Only as a validated procedure can it then be practically applied e.g. in the EU REACH Program.Dr. S. Huang, Epithelix Sàrl, Geneva Project 106-07 |
| Publication of Annual Report for 2006 (June 2007) | |
 | On 26 March 2007 the Administrative Board approved the Annual Report for 2006 concerning the Foundation’s activities during the previous year and the annual financial statements. Fr. 726 000.- was paid out for research activities Annual Report for 2006 | PDF version |
| The processes by which substances are transported between blood and cerebrospinal fluid can be studied in cultured cells (May 2007) | |
 | 3R-Info Bulletin 35 Prof. Gert Fricker and his colleagues, Valeska Reichel and Carsten Baehr, have developed a cell culture system in which the barrier functions in an intact organism (Choroid plexus epithelium) are closely replicated. As a result, it possible to investigate the exchange of substances between cerebrospinal fluid and blood in vitro, thus obviating the need to use animals in experiments.3R-Info Bulletin 35 | Project 91-04 |
| Special meeting to mark the 20th anniversary of the 3R Research Foundation and the 20th anniversary of the Swiss Laboratory Animal Science Association (May 2007) | |
 | A meeting will be held on 3-4 September 2007 at the Zurich-Irchel University in Zurich to mark the 3R Research Foundation’s 20th anniversary, at the same time as the 20th anniversary of the Swiss Laboratory Animal Science Association (SGV). This meeting will be organised in collaboration with the Association for Training in Laboratory Animal Welfare and the Animal Keepers’and Technical Staff Interest Group.
If you want to participate only on Tuesday 4.9.2007, you are not a member of the SGV and do not require confirmation of having attended the meeting as part of your further training, the Foundation will pay your registration fee. Please register even so to obtain a name-badge for access. |
| The NEMO network expands to Europe (May 2007) | |
 | The NEMO (non-mammalian experimental models for the study of bacterial infections) network is made up of working groups that carry out studies of bacterial infections in non-mammalian organisms (amoeba, Drosophila). In February 2005 five research laboratories at Swiss and French universities founded the NEMO network with funding from the 3R Research Foundation. Meetings were held in 2006 and 2007 and collaboration between the various working groups was started. The plan is now to expand this network to cover the whole of Europe.Anyone interested should contact: |
| New project (February 2007) | |
 | Establishment of an in vitro system for the prediction of the degree of virulence of classical swine fever virus isolates In the case of an outbreak of CSF the whole herd is slaughtered as a preventive measure. For this reason a differentiated diagnosis of the virulence of the infection is necessary. In this project an attempt is made to determine the virulence of the swine fever in cell cultures, which alleviates the need to use live animals for that purpose.Dr. Nicolas Ruggli, Institute for Viral Infections and Immune Prophylaxy (IVI), Mittelhäusern Project 105-06 |
| New project (February 2007) | |
 | Development of in vitro strategies to propagate and characterize hemotrophic mycoplasmas The contagiousness of hemoplasmas for humans and animals needs further investigation. In order to avoid using animals to obtain these cell-wall-free bacteria, methods have been developed to produce these hemoplasmas in vitro.Prof. Regina Hofmann-Lehmann, University of Zurich Project 104-06 |
| New project (February 2007) | |
 | An in vitro Model of Central Nervous System Infection & Regeneration: Neuronal Stem Cells as Targets of Brain Damage & Regenerative Therapies in Bacterial Meningitis Bacterial meningitis in humans often causes brain damage and can be fatal. In order to develop therapies, the mechanisms of the infection need to be investigated further. At present this is done using live laboratory animals. With the help of cultured neuronal stem cells and organ sections obtained from rats, at least part of these investigations could be carried out in vitro.Prof. Stephen Leib, University of Berne Project 103-06 |
| Natural anticoagulation in blood maintained in vitro: A novel cell culture model (January 2007) | |
 | 3R-Info Bulletin 34 Dr. Yara Banz and Dr. Robert Rieben of the University of Berne have succeeded in maintaining the natural anticoagulation effect of endothelial cells in cell cultures. This will enable certain questions to be answered without resorting to the use of animals in the laboratory.3R-Info Bulletin 34 | Project 81-02 |
| New chairman of the Evaluation Committee (January 2007) | |
 | On 19 December 2006 the Administrative Board accepted the resignation of Dr. Alfred Schweizer from the Evaluation Committee. The Board thanked him for his many years of valuable service as chairman. Prof. Peter Maier, scientific advisor to the Foundation, has been elected as the new chairman of the Evaluation Committee. Evaluation committee |
| Other changes in the Evaluation Committee (January 2007) | |
 | On 19 December 2006 the Administrative Board also accepted the resignation of Dr. Franz P. Gruber from the Evaluation Committee. He was also thanked for his hard work on behalf of the Foundation. Susanne Scheiwiller, a biologist and joint director of FFVFF in Zurich, was elected to replace Dr. Gruber. Evaluation committee |
| Breakthrough in replacing the use of animals is acknowledged in the British, German and Swiss press (November 2006) | |
 | 3R Project 79-01 In their recently published article, T. Kröber and P.M. Guerin of the Zoological Institute at the University of Neuchâtel describe how ticks can be fed in vitro.T. Kröber and P.M. Guerin (2006) An in vitro feeding assay to test acaricides for control of hard ticks. Pest Management Science. 63, 17-22. In the on-line press reviews at Télévision Suisse Romande and TIMESONLINE from 6th November 2006 and in Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung from 3rd January 2007 this research is claimed to represent a breakthrough in replacing the use of animals. 3R-Info Bulletin 27 | Project 79-01 |
| Prediction of allergic reactions to medication in vitro (September 2006) | |
 | 3R-Info Bulletin 33 Prof. W. Pichler, University Hospital, Berne, demonstrates that even substances that are not known to be hapten-carrier com-plexes can cause T-cells to divide, i.e. substances can trigger an immune response solely through their chemical structure.3R-Info Bulletin 33 | Project 80-01 |
| Further training in animal experimentation (June 2006) | |
 | A module on recognising pain has been added to the 3R Training course A new module entitled “Postoperative pain recognition in animals“ has been added to the further training course offered on the internet by the 3R Research Foundation, which is recognised by the cantonal authorities. Module devised by: Prof. P. Flecknell, University of Newcastle.more... | 3r-training.tierversuch.ch |
| Database for serum-free cell cultures (SEFREC) (June 2006) | |
 | Are you looking for cell culture media for serum-free culture systems? Would you like to register a new, serum-free medium? An interactive database is now available on the internet to provide all such information to those interested. more... | www.sefrec.com |
| Application of non-invasive methods in animal experimentation for examining diseases of the respiratory system (May 2006) | |
 | 3R-Info-Bulletin 32 Dr. N. Beckmann from Novartis Pharma in Basle demonstrates, using asthma research as an example, how the number of animals used for testing can be dramatically reduced, the distress caused can be attenuated and the length of the experiments can be shortened, by applying magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).3R-Info Bulletin 32 | Project 82-02 |
| Publication of Annual Report for 2005 (May 2006) | |
 | On 21 March 2006 the Administrative Board approved the Annual Report for 2005 concerning the Foundation’s activities during the previous year and the annual financial statements. Fr. 540 000.- was paid out for research activities Annual Report for 2005 |
| Completion of project (April 2006) | |
 | Induction of a primary T-cell-mediated immune response against drugs and drug metabolites in vitro. Results have shown that the immunogenic (as well as allergenic) potential of a potential drug can be assessed using a T-cell activation test. The test involving human cells requires further development before it can be used routinely in pre-clinical safety testing.Prof. Werner Pichler, University Hospital, Berne Project 80-01 |
| Completion of project (April 2006) | |
 | In vitro cultivation of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii oöcysts The ultimate aim of the project was to cultivate this stage of Neospora caninum and Toxoplasma gondii in vitro, thus eliminating the need to cultivate them in dogs. The project served to expand the necessary basic knowledge and opened the way to achieving the aim of the research.Prof. Andrew Hemphill, University of Berne Project 85-03 |
| Change in the Evaluation Committee (April 2006) | |
| On 21 March 2006 the Administrative Board accepted the resignation of Prof. Max Gassmann of the Institute of Physiology, University of Zurich-Irchel, from the Evaluation Committee. The Board expressed its sincerest thanks for Prof. Gassmann’s work on behalf of the Foundation. Dr. Kurt Lingenhöhl, head of laboratory at Novartis Pharma AG (Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research) was elected to the Evaluation Committee. Evaluation Committee | |
| Modification of guidelines: What kind of projects are not sponsored? (April 2006) | |
| Applications for sponsorship of projects concerning the development or improvement of testing methods in the field of regulatory toxicology are sponsored only if they present a new concept or aim to develop a new method which is subsequently approved in an international validation process (appendix). more... | |
| New project (March 2006) | |
 | Development of an in-vitro system for modelling bioaccumulation of neutral, ionizable, and metabolically active organic pollutants in fish With regard to chemicals that are new on the market, toxicity testing must include determining the bioconcentration in fish according to OECD guideline 305. This project aims to develop a method of determining the level of bioconcentration using a parallel artificial membrane permeability assay = PAMPA) instead of live fish. This simplified approach should mimic in vivo conditions well since the principal way fish ingest toxic substances is through (passive) diffusion through their gills.Dr. Beate Escher, EAWAG, Dübendorf Project 100-06 |
| New project (March 2006) | |
 | Organotypic CNS slice cultures as an in-vitro model for immune mediated tissue damage and repair in multiple sclerosis The processes that lead to the development of multiple sclerosis are still largely unknown. The experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) model is used in research. This animal model cannot portray all aspects of the disease, however. By using organotypic CNS slice cultures from mice, together with electrophysiological measurements it is possible to examine the remaining aspects in vitro and replace a large proportion of the EAE experiments.Prof. Norbert Goebels, University Hospital, Zurich Project 101-06 |
| New project (March 2006) | |
 | Isolated, autologous blood-perfused heart: Replacement of heterotopic heart transplantation The pathological processes that occur with ischaemia (complete hypoxia) and subsequent blood perfusion (e.g. of the brain and the heart) are still not fully understood. In order for these experiments to be carried out without resorting to the use of animals (heterotopic heart transplants) a heart-lung machine is necessary for the much smaller hearts of rodents and for blood perfusion (extra-corporal). The aim of this project is to develop such a machine.Dr. Anna Bogdanova, University of Zurich Project 102-06 |
| Date | Topic |
|---|---|
| 2004/10/05 | Research report 2000 - 2003 (PDF) |
| 2004/06/30 | Annual report 2003 |
| 2003/12/17 | Brochure: Alternative Methods for Animal Experimentation |
| 2003/07/01 | Annual report 2002 |
| 2002/05/10 | Annual report 2001 |
| 2001/05/10 | Annual report 2000 |
| 2000/05/09 | Annual report 1999 |
| 1999/11/03 | New CD-ROM on three basic 3R principles (reduce, refine, replace) (German only) |
| 1999/02/03 | New scientific adviser |
| Last modified 2010/08/26 |  |