In this section, the 3R Research Foundation wishes to raise awareness regarding selected 3R methods aimed at resolving specific problems in the field of life sciences.
The examples presented were selected by the 3R Foundation’s Evaluation Committee. High priority is given to methods which have a high impact on the number of, and burden on, ex-perimental animals. Within the scope of project evaluation, some of the methods were con-sidered to be already established. For this reason, the research project in question could not be funded owing to limited financial resources. However, the practical application of 3R methods for the solution of specific problems is a prerequisite for their implementation and dissemination. The authors were invited to describe their experiences with 3R methods in a few sentences, with reference to their recent corresponding publications.
In case of further questions, please contact the authors directly. The projects can be accessed with key words given in the column on the left. You can find additional methods among the over 130 projects supported by the 3R Research Foundation, which are to be found on this website in the form of extended abstracts.
Please note that a comparable “market place” for 3R-relevant methods has recently been established by the EPAA. There, priority is given to methods used to assess the safety of pharmaceuticals and chemicals (toxicity testing).
 | Experimental colitis through serial assessment of disease activity by 18F-FDG PET/CT (December 2012) Preclinical evaluation of potential drug candidates for human inflammatory bowel disease is performed in murine models of colitis. The most widely used model is dextran-sodium sulfate(DSS)-induced colitis. Non-invasive imaging of murine experimental colitis by Positron emission tomography (PET) combined with radiotracers is feasible and offers the opportunity of serial follow-up investigations. This technique significantly reduces the number of test animals. More... |
 | Quantitative, non-destructive biofilm analysis on irregular surfaces using microcalorimetry (January 2012) This in-vitro approach allows the quantification of biofilm formation on implants, human bone grafts and bone-graft substitutes by means of microcalorimetry. The method has the advantage of allowing the detection of bacterial biomass without removing the biofilm from the surface of the specimen. More... |
 | An new training device for taking blood and administering substances intravenously in rabbits (artificial rabbit ear) (October 2011) The rabbit silicone ear is a new patented training device for practising taking blood and carrying out intravenous injections in rabbit ear veins and arteries. It replaces the need for using live animals in the initial basic exercises required for trainees in animal experimental techniques. More... |
 | Organ culture assay as a replacement for the Draize test (April 2011) Interaction of chemicals and pharmaceuticals with the eye can be investigated using an organ culture in vitro assay based on rabbit corneas obtained from abattoir waste. Full metabolic function is maintained over a culturing period of up to 21 day enabling observation of recovery after chemical or mechanical trauma and undesired side effects during pharmaceutical treatment without the need for animal experiments. More... |
 | In-Vitro Protein Manufacturing without the use of rabbit reticulocyte lysates (September 2010) The use of a new human cell lysate kit for protein translation will replace the rabbit reticolcyte lysate and the use of rabbits for its production. More... |
 | 3D model of human epithelial airway barrier (June 2010) Particle-lung cell interactions can be investigated in a triple cell culture in vitro model of the human airway wall. It is possible to analyze the cellular interplay and response of epithelial cells, human blood monocyte derived macrophages and dendritic cells after exposure to particles. More... |