Promising research on neuronal ageing in a non-mammalian model recognised by David Sainsbury Fellowship

We have funded research into developing the fruit fly as a potential alternative to the mammalian models most commonly used to study ageing.

A David Sainsbury Fellowship has been awarded to Dr Alessio Vagnoni from MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, to develop and validate the fruit fly as a model to study the ageing of neurons, using new imaging technology to observe the neurons in the fly's transparent wings as they age in real time.

Latest issue of AOP News published

AOP News is a regular bulletin from the NC3Rs for scientists who are interested in the application of pathways-based approaches. The second edition is now available on our website.

This edition includes:

• News of our upcoming workshop on pathways-based approaches.
• A pharmaceutical company perspective on the benefits of AOPs: Maria Beaumont and James Louttit, GlaxoSmithKline.
• An AOP Spotlight focused on the AOP ‘aromatase inhibition leading to reproductive dysfunction in fish’, including interviews with Dan Villeneuve, US EPA and James Wheeler, Dow AgroSciences.
• Updates on publications, funding opportunities and events.

Open call for CRACK IT Challenges closing soon

There are only two weeks left to submit ideas for new CRACK IT Challenges for the 2016 competition.

CRACK IT Challenges is an NC3Rs-initiative that funds collaborations between industry, academics and SMEs to solve problems related to the 3Rs, leading to new products and/or improved business processes.

The deadline for new Challenge submissions is Tuesday 1 March 2016.

Pathways-based approaches across the biosciences: Towards application in practice

Thursday 28 April: LONDON
The NC3Rs is hosting a one-day workshop which will bring together multi-disciplinary academic and industry researchers to share their knowledge and experiences in applying pathways-based approaches in practice. Widespread application of such approaches promises to improve safety assessment processes and reduce reliance on animal models.

Poster abstracts must be submitted by 1 April 2016.

Attendance is free, but registration is essential. The closing date for registration is Thursday 14 April 2016.

Improving experimental approaches in animal biology: implementing the 3Rs

Wednesday 29 June – Friday 1 July: LONDON
The 2016 symposium of the Society for Experimental Biology (SEB) will be focused on the 3Rs. Invited and submitted presentations will cover application of the 3Rs in animal behaviour, endocrinology, neurobiology, physiology, toxicology and other disciplines.

Abstracts must be submitted online by Friday 29 April 2016.

Early-bird registration closes on Friday 13 May 2016.

Find all of our most recent posts, along with our back catalogue here.

ARRIVE at five

Since the launch of the ARRIVE guidelines in 2010, the scientific community have been using the guidelines to improve the reporting of animal research. Five years on, we look at the development of the guidelines and how they are now being recognised internationally as key reporting guidelines for animal research.

Working collaboratively on bovine tuberculosis to deliver economic and 3Rs benefits

Bovine tuberculosis now affects almost 5% of herds in some areas of the UK. This blog details the main challenges of the disease and how we are working with other funders to develop novel alternatives to current animal models used for studying bovine TB.

A fresh approach to training in welfare assessment of laboratory animals

Working with Newcastle University, we recently launched a new e-learning resource which aims to help researchers and animal care staff to identify signs of good and poor welfare in laboratory animals. This blog explains how using online, scenario-based training could lead to an improvement in the welfare of millions of animals worldwide.