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NC3Rs
@nc3rs.bsky.social
570 followers 78 following 180 posts
A UK-based scientific organisation dedicated to helping the research community worldwide to identify, develop and use 3Rs technologies and approaches. https://nc3rs.org.uk/
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nc3rs.bsky.social
Our next welfare webinar will focus on using positive reinforcement techniques to improve the welfare of pigs and dogs in research by encouraging voluntary cooperation with procedures and reducing stress.

📅 Thursday 27 November, 12.30 – 13.30 (GMT)

👉 Register: nc3rs.org.uk/events/welfa...
The welfare webinar logo alongside two photographs of animal technicians interacting with animals (pigs and beagles).
November 6, 2025 at 3:02 PM
nc3rs.bsky.social
New publication: Home-cage monitoring to refine and reduce animal use in drug safety testing

A cross-sector collaboration demonstrates that non-invasive, continuous monitoring of rodent behaviour improves detection of central nervous system side effects for new drugs.
👉 nc3rs.org.uk/news/home-ca...
The Home Cage Analyser system set up to monitor a cage of rats.
November 5, 2025 at 9:33 AM
nc3rs.bsky.social
Our Chief Executive Vicky Robinson provided comment on the statistics of scientific procedures on animals carried out in Great Britain in 2024, released today.

Read the report from the Home Office: www.gov.uk/government/s...
A quote from Dr Vicky Robinson, NC3Rs Chief Executive: As always the release of the annual statistics on animal procedures presents an interesting snapshot of animal use in Great Britain. The continuing downward trend in the number of procedures is influenced by a range of factors including the efforts of the scientific community to find alternative methods, changes in scientific trends and investment decisions on where research is placed. In recent times there has been a significant uptick in efforts to replace the use of animals globally with many governments and research organisations increasing their commitments to technologies that replace the use of animals. The UK has long been at the forefront of these efforts and it is essential given the scientific, economic and societal benefits that this position is maintained. We are looking forward to the forthcoming UK government plan on alternative methods and are excited about the role that the NC3Rs can play in the delivery of this, given our expertise, networks and partnerships with key industry, academic and regulatory organisations.
October 23, 2025 at 11:34 AM
nc3rs.bsky.social
NC3Rs staff have co-authored a new chapter in the fourth edition of the IACUC Handbook to support ethical review bodies assess the reliability of animal research. It includes practical support to avoid animals being wasted in studies that produce unreliable results: nc3rs.org.uk/news/conside...
Graphic showing people discussing work, the cover of the Fourth Edition of The IACUC Handbook and the chaptername: Research reproducibility and the role of the IACUC.
October 22, 2025 at 12:58 PM
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⏳ NC3Rs-BBSRC Business Interaction Vouchers application deadline approaching: 16.00, Tuesday 4 November.

Apply for up to £25k to support industry-academic collaborations that advance 3Rs approaches in oncology, cardiovascular science and new approach methodologies: nc3rs.org.uk/our-funding-...
Anthony Holmes, NC3Rs Director of Science and Technology, chairing the Business Interaction Vouchers in-person networking event. Two delegates in discussion at the Business Interaction Vouchers in-person networking event. A cross-sector panel discussing academic-industry collaboration at the Business Interaction Vouchers in-person networking event. Two delegates discussing a scientific poster at the Business Interaction Vouchers in-person networking event.
October 22, 2025 at 9:04 AM
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A new imaging system developed through our Transgene Track CRACK IT Challenge enables real-time, non-invasive monitoring of gene and cell therapies in rodents – reducing animal use and improving data quality in preclinical studies.

Learn more: nc3rs.org.uk/crackit/news...
Illustration of CAR-T cell therapy with modified T-cells attacking a cancer cell.
October 17, 2025 at 1:24 PM
nc3rs.bsky.social
Thanks to the 320 attendees from 30 countries who joined us over two webinar sessions that explored model-specific refinements and practical tools to minimise laboratory animal suffering. If you missed the session the recording is now available.

👉 nc3rs.org.uk/3rs-resource...
A staff member performing a welfare check on mice. They are standing in front of a rack of cages and holding one cage in their hand to inspect the mice.
October 15, 2025 at 2:37 PM
nc3rs.bsky.social
Join researchers, clinicians and neurosurgeons for an afternoon of expert insights and networking to discuss the practicalities and potential of using human brain tissue to replace animal models in neuroscience.

📅 Friday 7 November, 13.00 – 16.00
📍 UCL, London
Register: nc3rs.org.uk/events/using...
A brain tissue slice with cells stained and viewed under a microscope.
October 10, 2025 at 8:51 AM
nc3rs.bsky.social
We were delighted to welcome 12 BBSRC-funded PhD students to our annual summer school this year alongside NC3Rs-funded students. Our training for early career researchers focuses on their role as ambassadors for the 3Rs throughout their PhD and beyond.

💡 Read more: nc3rs.org.uk/news/trainin...
PhD students in an experimental design workshop at the NC3Rs-BBSRC summer school.
October 1, 2025 at 9:16 AM
nc3rs.bsky.social
New report from the NC3Rs, in collaboration with @abpi.bsky.social and MHRA, explores how New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) can transform the way new medicines are developed, harnessing cutting edge human relevant technologies and reducing reliance on animal testing.
nc3rs.org.uk/news/incorpo...
Report cover page: Incorporating new approach methodologies in the development of new medicines.
September 16, 2025 at 10:55 AM
nc3rs.bsky.social
Join us next week to learn more about misconceptions around sex-inclusive research and how the Sex Inclusive Research Framework can be used by scientists, ethical review bodies and funders: nc3rs.org.uk/events/tackl...

📅 18 September, 15.00 – 16.00

📜 One hour of continuing professional development
A black mouse with a litter of pups in a laboratory cage.
September 11, 2025 at 8:53 AM
nc3rs.bsky.social
Online conference: Dosing in animal models of neuroscience

@britpharmsoc.bsky.social ‬and @britishneuro.bsky.social ‬are hosting an online conference to explore 3Rs opportunities in preclinical dosing practices for neuropharmacology research.

📅 23 Sept, 9.30 – 16.15

👉 nc3rs.org.uk/events/dosin...
British Pharmacological Society and British Neuroscience Association logos, overlaid on an illustration of neurons. Text reads: 'Dosing in animal models of neuroscience. Time to challenge the status quo? 23 September 2025, online'.
September 10, 2025 at 1:46 PM
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Congratulations to Dr Renata Nundes for winning the EUSAAT poster award at WC13! It is fantastic to see further global recognition of her in vitro assay to replace mice in snake antivenom potency testing, which was highly commended in this years’ International 3Rs Prize: nc3rs.org.uk/news/3rs-pri...
Dr Renata Nundes receiving a poster award from the European Society for Alternatives to Animal Testing (EUSAAT) at WC13 in Rio.
September 8, 2025 at 3:13 PM
nc3rs.bsky.social
Are you interested in the latest 3Rs technologies in oncology research? Join us at our next Technology Partn3Ring webinar for opportunities to collaborate and access new 3Rs models.
📅 Wednesday 24 September, 14.00 – 15.15 (BST)
👉 Register now: nc3rs.org.uk/events/techn...
Cartoon icon of a cancer cells surrounded by icons of lightbulbs, shaking hands and silhouettes.
September 5, 2025 at 1:12 PM
nc3rs.bsky.social
We are supporting in-person training workshops to promote the use of skin swabbing as a refined approach for genotyping zebrafish.
🐟 Suitable for technical staff and researchers
🤝 Personalised support in small groups
📍 Delivered at your facility (UK only)

Find out more: nc3rs.org.uk/training-wor...
A zebrafish is held in a hand net and swabbed.
September 3, 2025 at 11:36 AM
nc3rs.bsky.social
Register now for two upcoming sessions on minimising animal suffering with early interventions and refined humane endpoints.

📅 11 and 16 September, 12.30 – 13.30
🙋🏻‍ For animal technicians, ethics committee members and researchers
📜 Certificates of attendance available
👉 nc3rs.org.uk/welfare-webi...
A staff member performing a welfare check on mice. They are standing in front of a rack of cages and holding one cage in their hand to inspect the mice.
September 2, 2025 at 11:16 AM
nc3rs.bsky.social
Elliot Lilley is co-chairing a session on transitioning away from animal testing for vaccine quality control testing. He will be sharing our work to integrate the 3Rs into WHO guidelines and accelerate the global adoption of non-animal testing methods.

💉 Find out more: nc3rs.org.uk/events/world...
Headshot of NC3Rs programme managers Elliot Lilley on a WC13 background featuring the conference logo and the text: '3Rs integrating 3 worlds. Human, animal and environmental health. August 31 - September 4, 2025. Rio de Janerio, Brazil.'
September 1, 2025 at 10:51 AM
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If you are attending WC13, make sure you connect with @james-barker.bsky.social and @drejpearl.bsky.social from our Experimental Design and Reporting team to learn more about resources to embed the 3Rs in the planning and publication of research.

📝 Find out more: nc3rs.org.uk/events/world...
Headshots of NC3Rs programme managers Esther Pearl and James Barker on a WC13 background featuring the conference logo and the text: '3Rs integrating 3 worlds. Human, animal and environmental health. August 31 - September 4, 2025. Rio de Janerio, Brazil.'
August 28, 2025 at 12:50 PM
nc3rs.bsky.social
Webinar: Future perspectives on artificial intelligence in safety assessment

Three leading experts will discuss how AI and approaches such as machine learning can be used to improve toxicity prediction and reduce the reliance on animal models.

📅 25 September, 14.00
👉 nc3rs.org.uk/events/artif...
Icons representing safety assessment (a chemical structure, a warning label, medicines, a lab flask, a computer, a rat and an environmental scene) connected in a microchip-style design. Text reads: AI in safety assessment.
August 27, 2025 at 10:41 AM
nc3rs.bsky.social
⏳ Registration closing on Thursday 28 August!

Interested in driving the uptake and impact of 3Rs models and technologies through cross sector collaborations? Join us and the BBSRC in London on September 12 as we launch our new joint funding initiative.

Find out more: nc3rs.org.uk/events/nc3rs...
Icons representing NC3Rs Networks in oncology, cardiovascular science and new approach methodologies for safety assessment.
August 26, 2025 at 2:52 PM
nc3rs.bsky.social
The next webinar in our welfare series will focus on refined humane endpoints and early interventions. Join us next month, across two lunchtime sessions, with expert speakers from academia and industry.

📅 Part 1: Thursday 11 September.
📅 Part 2: Tuesday 16 September.

👉 nc3rs.org.uk/welfare-webi...
A staff member performing a welfare check on mice. They are standing in front of a rack of cages and holding one cage in their hand to inspect the mice.
August 22, 2025 at 11:38 AM
nc3rs.bsky.social
Thank you to everyone who came to hear Esther talk about outputs from a joint workshop we held with @rspcalabanimal.bsky.social to discuss evidence-based refinements for amphibian welfare.

Visit our conference stand to find out more about NC3Rs resources relevant to research involving Xenopus.
Dr Esther Pearl, NC3Rs Programme Manager, standing behind a stall at a scientific conference. The table has a selection of NC3Rs resources. There is a poster on using the Experimental Design Assistant and the ARRIVE guidelines in teaching. Dr Esther Pearl, NC3Rs Programme Manager, giving a talk at a scientific conference.
August 20, 2025 at 10:10 AM
nc3rs.bsky.social
Thank you to the 100+ people from 24 countries who joined us at our 20th International 3Rs Prize ceremony to hear about work to replace animal-derived antibodies and in vivo antivenom tests, and to GSK who have sponsored the Prize from the start.

Watch the recording: nc3rs.org.uk/news/3rs-pri...
The picture shows in vitro techniques on the left, and a snake sitting on vials of antivenom on the right. Image credit: Steve Townsley.
August 7, 2025 at 12:55 PM
nc3rs.bsky.social
As a commonly used species in research, interest in how to maintain and promote higher standards of welfare for zebrafish continues to grow.

This webinar adds to our resource library which includes guidance on all aspects of the use of zebrafish in research: nc3rs.org.uk/3rs-resource...
A technician working in a zebrafish aquaculture facility standing between rows of tanks.
August 6, 2025 at 10:24 AM
nc3rs.bsky.social
Webinar recording and Q&A available: Improving the lives of laboratory zebrafish

Professor Robert Gerlai explores how optimising housing and handling improves zebrafish welfare and research quality.

👉 nc3rs.org.uk/3rs-resource-library/welfare-webinar-improving-lives-laboratory-zebrafish
August 6, 2025 at 10:24 AM