The conference was opened with a video message from Ina Brandes, Minister for Culture and Science of North Rhine-Westphalia, who praised the collaboration of researchers in NRW and its innovative strength. The participants were then welcomed by Prof. René Tolba, member of the steering committee and host of the event, and Michael To Vinh, the network manager. In a presentation, Michael To Vinh outlined the progress made in the various areas of the network.
The presentations on the first day included the introduction of culture of care practices in animal research. Projects on the integration of artificial intelligence to identify rodent behavior, innovations in dietary measures for transgenic mice and refinement measures in epilepsy research were also presented.
Topics on transparency in research were also highlighted, with discussions on the duplication of images and the potential of data driven technology to enhance the welfare of laboratory animals. In addition, the importance of open communication about animal research and the 3Rs principle was emphasized, and preliminary findings were presented that such practices can lead to significant advances in both animal and human welfare.
In the “Short Talks” session, early career researchers presented their groundbreaking projects in short talks, ranging from kidney organoids and blood-brain barrier models to cutting-edge tissue engineering solutions. These talks were complemented by a variety of poster presentations showcasing innovations such as virtual reality-based training and organ-on-a-chip models. As part of the evening networking event in Aachen's Tivoli Stadium, the 5th Aachen Animal Welfare Award was also presented, recognizing exceptional scientific contributions to the 3R principles in 2024.
The second day began with an inspiring keynote speech by Peter Bollen, who reported on Denmark's success in promoting the 3Rs principles. He emphasized the central role of policy and innovation in reducing the use of laboratory animals and promoting alternative methods. Bollen also outlined the future task of the Danish 3R Center to strengthen the impact of 3Rs in research and improve access to animal-free methods.
The poster presentations on the second day also provided a platform for innovative ideas. Highlights included translational pain research, sharing organs to reduce the use of laboratory animals and creating blood vessels from tissue for cardiovascular studies. The final session of the conference was dedicated to replacement methods and presented projects on organoids from patients for cancer research, brain slice cultures for neurological studies and novel epithelial models that integrate biology and technology.
The 2nd Annual Meeting concluded with the 3R Centers meeting, where regional representatives focused on the importance of cross-border cooperation to strengthen the 3R principle in research and European networking. The event demonstrated how a shared commitment to innovation and ethical responsibility can drive significant change towards more sustainable research practice.
The energy, collaboration and insights shared over the two days highlighted a promising future for 3R research. By fostering partnerships and leveraging new technologies, the 3R Competence Network NRW will continue to play a key role in promoting responsible 3R research across Europe.