Understanding Animal Research

Researchers at Imperial College London and the The Francis Crick Institute have studied how mice respond to respiratory infections and found that when the immune system was activated by a virus, the lungs became a more hostile environment for cancer cells. This then reduced the spread of metastatic breast cancer. Studies like this help us understand how the immune system works in real-life conditions, and how it might be harnessed to fight cancer. 👉 Read more: https://lnkd.in/dWRhyh9Y #AnimalResearch #CancerResearch #Immunology

🦎 One of the world’s most talked-about medicines owes a lot to… a venomous lizard. Researchers studying the saliva of the Gila monster discovered a molecule similar to GLP-1. That discovery helped pave the way for the first GLP-1 drugs, which are now used by millions of people with type 2 diabetes and obesity. But getting from lizard venom to life-changing medicine required decades of research in: 🐟 fish 🐹 rodents 🐷 pigs 🐒 monkeys These studies helped scientists understand how GLP-1 drugs worked, how they affected organs and metabolism, and whether they were safe enough to test in humans. Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/eh-_N-Ux #GLP1 #AnimalResearch #Ozempic

Good, consistent handling keeps animals comfortable - which means more reliable results and healthier animals. 👉 To learn more about the 3H's, watch the full video here: https://lnkd.in/eWUXfjM3 #AnimalResearch #AnimalTesting #3Hs #AnimalWelfare

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered that damage to the brain’s white matter may play a key role in neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. Using mice and rats, the team showed that changes in white matter can trigger disease-related features, shifting focus beyond grey matter which has been the main target until now. This kind of research helps scientists understand how diseases develop, opening up new possibilities for future treatments. 👉 Read more: https://lnkd.in/eU3YjTGT #AnimalResearch #Neuroscience #Alzheimers #AnimalTesting

⏳ Last call: registration closes for our Openness conference tomorrow (21 May)! Join experts from across the globe exploring transparency, public engagement, and the future of animal research. From international openness agreements, hands-on communication workshops, cutting-edge engagement strategies, there’s something for everyone. Don’t miss out 👇 https://lnkd.in/eDsHP9Gi

Opening the doors to Imperial College London animal facilities... Last week during #AnimalsInResearch, students had the opportunity to visit Imperial’s animal research facilities. They learnt first-hand about the care, regulation, and scientific work involved in biomedical research. Open conversations and transparency matter, and experiences like this help engage with research in an informed and thoughtful way. #AnimalsInResearch #AnimalResearch #AnimalTesting

Upcoming webinar – Contained pathogens, open practices: Internal engagement at a high containment facility The Pirbright Institute is a global leader in researching viral livestock diseases, including those that can affect humans. Since signing the Concordat on Openness in 2014, the Institute has taken significant steps to increase transparency around its animal research. This session will showcase internal initiatives such as facility tours, staff inductions, newsletters, and the Director’s blog. Join them on 21 May 12:00-13:00 BST 👉 Register here: https://lnkd.in/eU4wWSA3

“Only 5% of drugs tested on animals make it to the pharmacy.” You’ve probably seen that stat, but it’s not the whole picture. When you dig into the data, around 86% of positive results in animal studies are also seen in human trials. Animal studies are just one step in a long process. They’re not designed to predict everything a drug will do—they’re used to answer specific questions, like how it behaves in the body or whether it’s safe enough to test in humans. 👉 Find out more here: https://lnkd.in/eGrZnZ-B

On the final day of #AnimalsInResearch week, we’re taking a look at some of the medical advances made since the Concordat on Openness was signed in 2014. COVID-19 vaccines. Animal studies (including mice and non-human primates) helped assess immune response and safety before human trials. CAR-T cell therapy (e.g. for leukaemia and lymphoma) A personalised cancer treatment where a patient’s own immune cells are engineered to target cancer; developed using mice. Advanced pacemakers (e.g. leadless pacemakers) Smaller, minimally invasive heart devices; animal studies (often in pigs or sheep) used to test implantation, safety, and function in a beating heart. New PET imaging tracers (for cancer and Alzheimer’s disease) Used to detect disease earlier and more precisely; tested in mice and rats to understand how they behave in the body before human use. Malaria vaccine (R21/Matrix-M) Developed at the University of Oxford; the first malaria vaccine to show high efficacy in children, with preclinical testing involving mice. #AnimalsInResearch #AnimalResearch #MedicalResearch

UAR is delighted to announce five new Leaders in Openness for 2026. Leaders in Openness was introduced in 2019 to recognise the organisations that are at the forefront of driving openness, committing considerable resources and energy to following best practice, and making the aims of the Concordat a reality. Please join us in congratulating: Charles River Laboratories MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology (LMB) The University of Edinburgh University of Southampton University of Strathclyde 👉 Read the full announcement here: https://lnkd.in/e6knfQYV