Lecture 5 animal models

Question 1

Different types of models (5)

Answer 1

• Analytical: methods to determine a chemical or physical property
• In silico: computer modelling or simulation
• In vitro: collect cells, and cultivate cells in medium (cell culturing)
• Ex vivo: collect fresh material from a complex organism (organ, tissue)
• In vivo: in a complex living organism.

Question 2

Main principle of the 3Rs

Answer 2

making animal experiments more humane

Question 3

Replacement

Answer 3

Replacing vertebrate animals (and cephalopods) by invertebrates, other biological material or non-biological materials or approaches

Question 4

Reduction

Answer 4

reducing the number of animals needed for studying a research hypothesis. Various ways
- improve design of experiment
- re-use lab animals
- use (non-invasive) real time monitoring systems
- increase standardisation

Question 5

Refinement-

Answer 5

Reducing level of pain and suffering for animals involved and/or enhancing the welfare of the animals. Use animals with lowest degree of neural development

Question 6

Drivers to replace animal models

Answer 6

• Economic and pragmatic
• Political, societal, moral
• Scientific