Replace. Reduce. Refine.

Research for alternatives to animal testing

In biomedical research, animal experiments are used to record
and understand complex processes in the living organism.
Their results lead to versatile scientific findings.

WI3R SYMPOSIUM 2024

Take a look at some impressions and voices from the 1st WI3R Symposium in Würzburg.
Many thanks to all participants and see you again in two years!

About

WI3R

The further development and implementation of the 3R principles is a central task of biomedical research. In recent years, the metropolitan region of Northern Bavaria has developed into one of the leading research locations, especially for cancer and infectious diseases as well as for new types of medical products. At the same time, alternatives to animal testing have gained in importance and found their way into biomedical research. The research location Würzburg has meanwhile become the nucleus of 3R research, in particular of alternative methods to animal experiments, within Bavaria and beyond. The Würzburg Initiative 3R (WI3R) bundles the Bavarian activities in the field of 3R from science, regulatory authorities and industry and networks with existing 3R centers in Germany, Europe and worldwide. In addition to the quality-assured provision of alternatives to animal experiments, the research network will also be active in the field of science communication and further education.

Our

MISSION STATEMENT

Our mission is to establish alternatives to animal testing as an accepted standard in the population, research and industry. The Fraunhofer Translational Center for Regenerative Therapies TLC-RT in Würzburg acts as a coordinator of WI3R together with its academic partners of University Hospital and University of Würzburg.

Awarded!

The team of the Fraunhofer Translational Center for Regenerative Therapies TLC-RT and the University of Würzburg received the DFG Animal Welfare Award 2022 for its research on alternatives to animal experiments.

In vitro eye test

Dr. Christian Lotz (Deputy Head of Department In vitro Test Systems) received the Felix Wankel Prize 2021 for the development of an in-vitro eye irritation test. The new method is expected to replace the Draize eye test after about 80 years.

REPLACEMENT

Animal testing should be replaced by alternative methods wherever possible.

REDUCTION

The number of test animals should be reduced to a necessary minimum.

REFINEMENT

Stress and suffering are to be reduced as far as possible through species-appropriate husbandry and continuous improvement of examination methods.

Our

CONTACT


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Özlem Elbert

Fraunhofer Translational Center Regenerative Therapies TLC-RT
Röntgenring 12
97070 Würzburg

Phone +49 931 31-86739