GW4 Animal Replacement Network

As the ethical imperative to minimise animal use in research grows increasingly paramount, the need for collaboration and innovation becomes ever more pressing. Within the GW4 consortium, there exists a unique opportunity to spearhead advancements in animal replacement technologies by harnessing collective expertise and resources spanning diverse fields and institutions. By uniting under this common goal, this project aims to accelerate progress towards more humane and scientifically robust research practices.

Advancements in animal replacement technologies offer the potential to revolutionise research practices, making them more humane, efficient, and ethically sound. But, despite significant progress in animal replacement technologies, there remain barriers  to widespread adoption, including limited awareness, access to resources, and collaboration opportunities. Developing effective communication channels and platforms for sharing knowledge, resources, and best practices among researchers is essential for overcoming these challenges. This network aims to unite researchers within the GW4 consortium who are involved in or interested in adopting animal replacement technologies across various fields, such as tissue engineering, in-vitro modeling, stem cells  and regenerative medicine, mathematical modeling, organ-on-a-chip, 3D cell culture, and 3D bioprinting, among others.

This Development Award will enable a one-day symposium in March 2025 at the University of Cardiff, bringing together researchers from across the GW4 institutions, with invited speakers, presentations and dedicated networking sessions.  In addition, the  project will establish an online platform for GW4 researchers to share expertise, resources, and research updates related to animal replacement technologies, including a “directory of researchers” to facilitate ongoing connections and collaborations.