At the heart of the network is the 3R principle: replace animal experiments, reduce the number of laboratory animals and minimize animal suffering. Modern methods and innovative approaches are intended to create alternatives to animal research in the long term.
A further milestone has now been reached: the partners have signed a cooperation agreement that further consolidates their collaboration. The agreement describes how the participating faculties will pool their strengths in order to jointly advance the network's goals. As a result, decision-making processes can be simplified and the tasks of the various committees are clearly defined.
How the network works: A central component of the network's collaboration is the steering committee. All participating medical faculties are actively involved in this committee by sending a representative. The steering committee also determines the strategic direction.
The committee is supported by an administrative office, which is based at the Medical Faculty of the University of Bonn with a branch office at RWTH Aachen University. From here, events are planned, the exchange between the partners is coordinated and the network's public communication is managed. New partners can also join if they have the relevant professional qualifications.
Looking to the future: The network's long-term vision is ambitious: animal research units should be more closely interconnected with NRW-wide 3R centers and provide a platform for innovation and exchange in 3R research and animal welfare.
With the cooperation agreement, the network has taken a decisive step towards further concretizing its goals and placing the cooperation on a solid foundation.