A research article with great impact
The quarterly distinction "Paper of the Quarter" serves to recognize outstanding publications in the field of 3R principle (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement) of the 3R Competence Network NRW. The aim is to recognize the diversity of research achievements and in particular those publications for which the extraordinary quality cannot be adequately reflected by quantitative evaluation criteria such as the Journal Impact Factor (JIF). A high JIF is not an exclusion criterion, but it is not a selection criterion either.
The award is presented as part of a quarterly open competition. The decision on the publication to be awarded is made by the network's Steering Committee which is formed by the representatives of the eight faculties of medicine in NRW. Each location represented on the Steering Committee has one vote, so that the winner is determined by a simple majority of votes. The selection can be made if at least 50% of the site representatives are present at the relevant meeting.
The selected paper will be made visible as "Paper of the Quarter" by the network. The award is also recognized with a certificate. The cooperation of the award winners in the announcement (in particular the prompt provision of a summary and, if applicable, a photo/symbol image) is required.
Publications can be submitted for the competition via the following link:
How to apply?
Participation in the "Paper of the Quarter" competition is only possible by applying via the online form provided on the website of the 3R Competence Network NRW, via SoSci Survey.
The application must include a version of the publication in PDF format, as well as a brief explanation of what qualifies the publication for the award from the author's point of view.
Please see below for the deadlines for 2025:
1st quarter: submission by 28.02.2025
2nd quarter: submission by 31.05.2025
3rd quarter: submission by 31.08.2025
4th quarter: submission by 30.11.2025
Selection procedure
The quarterly selection of the outstanding "Paper of the Quarter" is made by the Steering Committee of the 3R Competence Network NRW. The committee is free to choose the evaluation criteria. However, it is encouraged to give special consideration to qualitative factors such as originality and innovation potential, scientific significance, translational potential, special significance for the state of North Rhine-Westphalia (with regard to research priorities, interdisciplinarity, cross-location cooperation, ...), special achievements of young scientists, as well as the information provided by the authors as part of the application. Quantitative measures (JIF, citation numbers, ...) should be avoided in the selection process. The Steering Committee will provide a brief justification for the selection of the article, which will be published as part of the announcement of the distinguished publication. The decision of the Steering Committee is not contestable.
General conditions
Publications can be submitted by all scientists who have a (possibly shared) first or last authorship and/or are listed as "corresponding author", with a clear affiliation to a faculty in North Rhine-Westphalia. The publication should be written in English or German.
The submitted publications must have an online or print publication date that is no more than 12 months before the submission deadline of the respective quarter.
However, the Steering Committee is free to consider a submission again in a later quarter if it has a publication date no more than 12 months before the submission deadline.
Apply now!
If you click on the "Apply" button below, you will be redirected to the PoQ application platform. Here you can fill out a questionnaire in German or English to complete your application.
Selected Papers
Q1-2024
Aniella Bak and colleagues were recognized for their work on "Human organotypic brain slice cultures: a detailed and improved protocol for preparation and long-term maintenance".
"The publication was selected due to its potential to replace many animal experiments with a human-relevant "Brain Slice Model (HBS)". The Scientific Advisory Board of the 3R Competence Network NRW particularly emphasizes the detailed description of the establishment of the HBS model and the culture for up to 3 weeks including the intact neuronal activity. Their model will make it possible to study diseases such as epilepsy, neuronal degeneration or even brain tumors in vitro in the human-relevant system.
This award underlines not only their hard work and expertise, but also the potential contribution of their research to reducing animal testing and advancing human-relevant research methods."
Discover more about the winner and their groundbreaking research in our bulletin, featuring an insightful Q&A: Q1-2024 Aniella Bak
Q2-2024
Helene Richter was recognized for her work on "Challenging current scientific practice: how a shift in research methodology could reduce animal use".
"The „Paper of the Quarter“ award was given to her publication because she strives in a special way to further develop the 3R principle—“Replace, Reduce, Refine”—which has been applied in laboratory animal science for more than 60 years. The aim of her proposed approach is to contribute to a reduction in the number of laboratory animals used through a new experimental design strategy.
The most commonly used method for determining the required number of animals is based on power analysis and, therefore, on statistical procedures that prioritize the significance level—the so-called p-value. However, statistical conclusions based on p-values are actually less definitive than generally assumed. Moreover, the estimation of the effect size of an experimental manipulation, which is necessary for a power analysis, is often not reliably predictable, so the resulting number of animals may be inadequate.
As an alternative approach, she proposes an experimental design involving „mini-experiments“ that, in combination with Bayesian statistics, allows for continuous evaluation of the results. This can lead to an optimized experimental scale and thus to a reduced number of laboratory animals used. The proposed concept is well-suited to improving the implementation of the 3R principle in the planning and execution of animal experiments and, therefore, meets the highest standards set by the scientific advisory board of the 3R Competence Network NRW for a „Paper of the Quarter.“
This award not only highlights her hard work and expertise but also the potential contribution of her research to reducing animal testing and advancing research methods."
Discover more about the winner and their groundbreaking research in our bulletin, featuring an insightful Q&A: Q2-2024 Helene Richter
Q3-2024
Selene Lickfett and colleagues were recognized for their work on "Mutant huntingtin impairs neurodevelopment in human brain organoids through CHCHD2-mediated neurometabolic failure".
"The „Paper of the Quarter“ award was given to her publication because she strives in a special way to further develop the 3R principle—“Replace, Reduce, Refine”—which has been applied in laboratory animal science for more than 60 years.
With its innovative approach of using human brain organoids as a model for Huntington’s disease, with her research group, she has developed a non-animal method that reproduces human development and disease processes. Therefore, they are making an essential contribution to the replacement of animal experiments. At the same time, by establishing a standardized model, they reduce the need for animal experiments in research and improve the quality of the knowledge gained. This paper sets new standards for the modeling of neurodegenerative diseases.
The model presented is suitable for leading to an improved implementation of the 3R principle and thus fulfills the requirements of the Scientific Advisory Board of the 3R Competence Network NRW for a Paper of the Quarter in the best possible way."
Discover more about the winner and their groundbreaking research in our bulletin, featuring an insightful Q&A: Q3-2024 Selene Lickfett