| Publication of Annual Report for 2009 (July 2010) |  | On 1 June 2010 the Administrative Board approved the Annual Report on the activities of the Foundation during 2009 and the financial statements for the year. A total amount of Fr. 634,000.00 was paid out in research grants during 2009. Three new projects were approved and six final reports were acknowledged.
Annual Report for 2009 | PDF version |
| | Fish Acute Toxicity Test: The number of animals can be reduced (June 2010) |  | 3R-Info-Bulletin 43 In testing fish for acute toxicity (OECD Protocol no. 203), the dosage of the substance tested is often too high or too low. Dr. Hans Rufli of ecotoxsolutions and 16 Swiss and foreign specialists analysed historical data on hundreds of chemicals used in agriculture and industry. Using retrospective computer simulations of testing procedures the team were able to demonstrate that the number of fish involved could be reduced by 15%; if the preliminary tests are carried out on fish embryos a further considerable reduction in the number of fish required can be achieved. At the same time, the validity of the results with regard to the toxicity of potential environmental pollutants remains high. The necessary steps have already been taken (via OECD) to propose this method on a global scale.
3R-Info Bulletin 43 | Project 114-08 |
| | Completion of a project (June 2010) |  | Development of a novel multicellular 3-dimensional blood brain barrier in vitro model
Dr. Omolara Ogunshola, Institute of Veterinary Physiology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich In this project a 3-dimensional model of the blood-brain barrier was simulated using endothelial cells, astrocytes and pericytes. In a collagen matrix the cells form a unit with a synergistic effect. The physiological reaction of this unit to various noxious substances was comparable to that seen in experiments involving live animals. This method therefore enables researchers to carry out mechanistic experiments on the function of the blood-brain barrier without using laboratory animals. The results obtained are summarised in Info Bulletin no. 42 and have already been published in part.
Project 93-04 | 3R-Info Bulletin 42 |
| | Completion of a project (June 2010) |  | Development of a three-dimensional enteric cell culture model for in vitro studies of the intestinal eukaryotic parasites Cryptosporidium spp.
Prof. Alexander Mathis, Institute of Parasitology, University of Zurich Until now pathogenic intestinal parasites have been isolated in host animals (new-born calves) for subsequent experiments. In order to replace the need for live animals, a 3-dimensional model was used to culture epithelial enteric cells as a substrate for producing Cryptosporidium parvum parasites. The cell cultures were successfully established and can be considered as an in vitro model of the intestinal epithelium. The rate of production of the parasites in the cell cultures was extremely low, however, and limited to two days. The results have been set out in an extended summary.
Project 97-05 |
| | New face on the Administrative Board and the Evaluation Committee (June 2010) |  | On 1 June 2010 the Administrative Board elected Dr. Ingrid Kohler from the Federal Veterinary Office in Berne to the Board and the Evaluation Committee. She will replace Ursula Moser, B.Sc., whose resignation has been received by the Board. The Board expressed their thanks to Miss Moser for her valuable contribution to the Foundation.
Administrative Board | Evaluation committee |
| | EU Project successfully completed (May 2010) |  | START-UP: Scientific and Technological issues in 3Rs Alternatives research in the process of drug development and union politics
Sponsored by: ecopa - European Consensus Platform for 3R Alternatives to Animal Experimentation This was a 2-year Support Action project (n° 201187) within FP7-HEALTH-2007-1.3-2 under the title “Bottlenecks in reduction, refinement and replacement of animal testing in pharmaceutical discovery and development”. The principal questions and approaches were identified at three preparatory meetings of experts. The meeting in Basle that focused on the 3R principles in relation to disease models in laboratory animals was organised in September 2008 by the 3R Research Foundation. Working meetings were held in Rome, Innsbruck and Budapest in the second year and possible improvements were presented for each of the 3R principles. A summary of all the proposals on how to implement the 3R principles was presented in May 2010 in a 230-page report that was submitted to the EU Committee. This report is intended as an aid to setting priorities in funding 3R-relevant methods in the FP8.
Poster on the project |
| | The blood-brain barrier in a dish: a new multicellular in vitro model (February 2010) |  | 3R-Info-Bulletin 42 The task of the blood-brain barrier is to protect the brain but this function may be impaired by various medical conditions, e.g. stroke, Alzheimer’s, neuro-AIDS. Dr. Lara Ogunshola’s research team have succeeded in creating an in vitro 3-D model of the blood-brain barrier from three cell types – epithelial cells, astrocytes and pericytes. The physiological reaction to hypoxic conditions corresponded to the in vivo reaction. It was possible to examine complex processes such as synergistic interactions between various cell types. Thanks to the design of this research project it will be possible to find answers to many questions about the functioning of the blood-brain barrier without having to carry out experiments involving laboratory animals. (Project completed in March 2010)
3R-Info Bulletin 42 | Project 93-04 |
| | New member of the Evaluation Committee (December 2009) |  | On 9 December 2009 the Administrative Board elected Dr. Martin Reist, Head of the Veterinary Public Health Institute (VPHI) at the Vetsuisse Faculty of the University of Berne, to the Evaluation Committee.
Evaluation committee |
| | New project (December 2009) |  | Development of an in vitro model from embryonic stem cells for identifying tissue inflammation as a reaction to implanted material (INFPLANT)
Prof. Maria Wartenberg, Friedrich-Schiller University, Jena, and Prof. Heinrich Sauer, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany In the case of synthetic implants (teeth, blood vessels, heart valves) it is important that they are not rejected by the body’s immune system. Animal experiments are being carried out at present to clarify this question. In order to replace such experiments mouse embryonic stem cells will be used to develop an immune-competent cell culture system. Unlike with existing, simple in vitro procedures, it is expected that it will be possible to recognise inflammation and the formation of vessels.
Project 117-09 |
| | New project (December 2009) |  | Organotypic slice cultures derived from brains obtained from slaughterhouses as an in vitro alternative for the investigation of neuroinfectious diseases in ruminants
Dr. Anna Oevermann and Dr. Torsten Seuberlich, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Berne, Switzerland Until now, it has only been possible to carry out investigations into the causes of spongiform encephalitis (e.g. prions) or listeriosis (listeria bacteria) in ruminants by using infected animals. In this project, tissue samples are taken from various areas of the brains of slaughtered, healthy ruminants (calves, sheep) and cultured in vitro. If structures and functions can be maintained in the tissue samples that are similar in vivo, it will be possible to gain a better insight into the causes (and mechanisms) of these diseases and to obtain infected material for examination without sacrificing live animals.
Project 116-09 |
| | Completion of a project (December 2009) |  | Establishment of a murine syngeneic co-culture system of intestinal epithelial cells with intraepithelial T-lymphocyte subsets
Prof. Christoph Müller, Institute of Pathology, University of Berne, Switzerland In this project a co-culture system of human and mouse cells was developed. This enabled the research team to examine the interaction between intestinal epithelial cells and intra-epithelial lymphocytes (which differ from other T-lymphocytes). The results can be used directly for clinical application in humans. In this way, the number of animals required for mechanical experiments in the future will be considerably lower.
Project 98-05 |
| | A novel in-vitro cell model of the human airway epithelium (October 2010) |  | 3R-Info-Bulletin 41 Using primary human cells, the company Epithelix has developed an airway epithelium (MucilAir) which can be cultured over several months. The tissue showed similar structural and functional characteristics to those of its in vivo counterpart. Dr. Song Huang and Mireille Caulfuty sought to determine the optimum culture conditions and established standard testing procedures (exposure time, duration of the experiment). The in vitro model serves to clarify the level of toxicity of matter and particles that can be taken in through the airway. (Project completed in May 2009).
3R-Info Bulletin 41 | Project 106-07 |
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Deadlines Principal areas for financial support Instructions for applicants Application Form (Word) Form for yearly reports (Word) Guidelines for Awarding Research Grants Addresses 
European Consensus Platform for 3R Alternatives to Animal Experimentation
EU Alternative Testing Strategies: Progress Report 2009
UK National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research
The global clearinghouse for information on alternatives to animal testing
Non-animal Methods for Toxicity Testing
The European Partnership for Alternative Approaches to Animal Testing
European Congress on Alternatives to Animal Testing 2010 in Linz (A), September 2-4, 2010.
8th World Congress in Montreal, August 21-25, 2011.
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