Latest news from the NC3Rs: September 2022

CRACK IT Challenges focus on developing products and services that deliver scientific and 3Rs benefits in key areas of research. This year’s Challenges have been set by industrial Sponsors and the NC3Rs and are now open for applications:

• T‑ALERT: Animal‑free tumourigenicity assessment of CAR‑T and other genetically modified T cells.
  
  Application deadline: Thursday 27 October, 12.00 (BST)
• Thyroid Tox: Development of an in silico model to predict thyroid receptor mediated human endocrine disruption.
  
  Application deadline: Thursday 3 November, 12.00 (GMT)

Visit the NC3Rs Innovation platform for more details of each Challenge, as well as application forms and links to join our LinkedIn groups for networking and consortia building.

We have awarded six new Project grants totalling over £2.8M, bringing the total number of grants awarded under this scheme to over 150. The majority of the projects awarded this round focus on replacement technologies, reflecting the current landscape for 3Rs research and increasing interest in alternatives to in vivo research, as highlighted in our recent Strategy.

Monday 26 September, 13:00 – 18:00 (BST)

Online

This workshop is the latest in a series for biologicals manufacturers, regulators and other relevant stakeholders around the world to share their perspective on how wider application of the 3Rs could impact the quality control and batch release testing of biologicals. The outputs from these workshops will inform recommendations we make to the WHO on implementing the 3Rs in their guidelines.

An additional workshop for Africa will take place later in 2022; recordings of the sessions from workshops focusing on Europe and Asia are available on the NC3Rs website.

Wednesday 12 October, 14.00 – 15.00 (BST)

Online

This webinar will focus on the development of the Precision Injection System by Active Needle Technology Ltd. The technology was developed as part of a CRACK IT Challenge to improve the preclinical injections of rodents, enabling high accuracy and precision injection, and refining the delivery of substances using single-use needles to improve animal welfare.

Join us to learn more about the Precision Injection System, its application and the scientific, business and animal welfare benefits of the technology.

Tuesday 8 November, 12.00 – 17.45 (GMT)

Central London/online (hybrid)

The programme for this year’s Primate Welfare Meeting features a range of presentations and posters on topics from breeding and husbandry to research use and welfare assessment. Attendees are encouraged to join in‑person to take advantage of the networking opportunities, but delegates will be able to view the live stream remotely to ensure the sessions are available to the global community.

If you are a researcher, veterinarian, technician or facility manager working directly with laboratory non‑human primates, be sure to register and reserve your place.

Tuesday 22 November, 16.00 – 17.00 (GMT)

Online

Our Experimental Design Assistant (EDA) tool can help researchers at any level design robust in vivo experiments. Following a presentation on the key aspects of the online tool, Dr Esther Pearl (NC3Rs Experimental Design Programme Manager) will answer questions on how you can use the EDA to design and plan your next study. Limited spaces are available on a first come first served basis.

Are you an animal technician, and have you or your team refined animal care and welfare in your facility? Don’t keep your good idea to yourself! This year’s Institute of Animal Technology (IAT) Andrew Blake Tribute Award is open for applications from technicians at any stage of their career primarily working in the UK. You have until Friday 30 September to get your entry in, so don’t miss this opportunity to be recognised for your hard work.

Every two years the European Partnership for Alternatives to Animal Testing (EPAA) awards their 3Rs Science Prize to a researcher who has made an outstanding contribution to the 3Rs within regulatory testing. This year’s call for applications is now open – scientists from both industry and academia with up to ten years' postgraduate experience are encouraged to apply.

Applications should be sent to grow-epaa@ec.europa.eu by Monday 3 October, 12.00 (CEST).

The Laboratory Animal Science Association (LASA) holds regular meetings relevant to those working directly with research animals. Upcoming meetings include:

• LASA 3Rs Section/UFAW Meeting: Stitching the 3Rs into surgical procedures
  
  Tuesday 27 September, Stevenage
• RSPCA/LASA/LAVA/IAT AWERB-UK meeting, focused on induction and training for all AWERB members
  
  Thursday 6 October, Birmingham
• LASA Home Office Liaison, Training and Information Forum Meeting
  
  Monday 10 October, online
• LASA Annual Conference
  
  Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23 November, Birmingham