IC-3Rs Symposium 2022

MORE SCIENCE, MORE CARE, LESS ANIMALS

The Innovation Centre-3Rs (IC-3Rs) at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) organizes its 6th IC-3Rs Symposium on September 21st 2022 from 9 till 16.30

VENUE VUB Health Campus - Auditorium Vanden Driessche (building A)

The 6^th Symposium of the Innovation Centre for 3R alternative methods (IC-3Rs ) entitled: 'More Science, More Care, Less Animals' on the 21^st of September at the Health Campus VUB in Jette was a real success. 140 scientists were warmly welcomed by Minister Clerfayt and Chair Vera Rogiers.

When two well-known experts in the field explained the pro's and cons of animal-free generation of antibodies, a spontaneous and lively discussion between the speakers and participants took place.

The RE-Place project, sponsored by Animal Welfare Flanders and Brussels, could show a significant growth. Indeed, 200 animal-free alternative methods for which expertise exists in Belgium have been brought together in this unique database.

Highlight of the day was the presentation of a brand new online tool for reducing animal experimentation. It is developed at the VUB and can be applied half-way animal experiments in analogy with what is done in clinical trials.

After an animated lunch served by enthusiastic IC-3Rs collaborators, the afternoon was dedicated to Refinement and Replacement. Realistic case studies were discussed between representatives of the Ethical Committees on Experimental Animalsof 6 Belgian universities and the audience. Awards for the best video clip (Laura Cools & Mina Kazemzadeh Dastjerd) on the 3Rs, best poster (Robin Maximilian Award) and best pitch (Alexandra Gatzios) made this day also a peak event for young researchers.

Antibodies development and production: do we still need animals?

Antibodies are binding molecules (affinity reagents) that have a high specificity for their unique target (antigen). They are essential, not only for our immune system to identify and neutralize bacteria and viruses, but they have important applications in diagnostics, medical use, disease therapy, prenatal therapy, regulatory procedures and not to forget they are an important research tool.

The generation of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies is still today often done in animals using the in vivo (ascites) production method, which is a painful and stressful technique for experimental animals. Recent EU statistical information on the use of animals for scientific purposes even shows an increase by 65% in the use of animals for monoclonal antibody production by the mouse ascites method between 2015 (27333 animals used) and 2017 (45024 animals used).

As a number of scientifically sound animal-free techniques became available for the development and production of antibodies, questions are posed about ethics, feasibility, scientific background, economics, etc. Recently, the discussion around this topic peaked when recommendations on the use of non-animal-derived antibodies were published by EURL ECVAM*. Indeed, Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes does not allow the use of animal-based methods when alternative methods that do not need animal use become available.

In the discussion, a clear difference should be made between monoclonal antibodies and polyclonal antibodies. During the 6^th IC-3Rs Symposium, pros and cons will be discussed by two international experts in the field, Prof Stefan Dübel and Prof Gilbert Schönfelder.

*EURL ECVAM recommendation on non-animal-derived antibodies; European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Barroso, J., Halder, M., Whelan, M., EURL ECVAM recommendation on non-animal derived antibodies, Publications Office 2020. https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2760/80554

Symposium Registration form

DOWNLOAD PROGRAM DOWNLOAD SYMPOSIUM BOOKLET

Welcome to the 2022 IC-3Rs Symposium

by Minister Bernard Clerfayt

by Robin Maximilian Awad

Invitation to IC-3Rs Symposium

by Prof. Emeritus Vera Rogiers

by Alexandra Gatzios

Poster Awards IC-3Rs Symposium

Extended Deadline: 09/09/2022

1 jury prize of 250€ for the best Video Pitch

1 public prize of 250€ for the best Poster presentation

All submitted poster abstracts will be published in the special Symposium 2022 booklet and the video pitches will be posted on the IC-3Rs website, with your agreement.

Poster viewing and voting will be organized during the walking lunch of the Symposium. All attendees are invited to vote for their favorite poster. A QR code to the voting form will be available onsite and in the Symposium booklet.

The winners of the prizes will be announced during the award ceremony and are expected to give a short pitch presentation.

Topics of interest

Scientists working on the 3R Principle in its broadest sense are invited to submit an abstract. Topics include, amongst others:

Drug development and research, toxicology, risk assessment, ….
Stem cells, organ-on-chip, 2D- and 3D-cultures, in silico modeling, …
Other Reduction and refinement techniques, …

Requirements

Submit an abstract in English of max 300 words in Word format (deadline 01/09/’22)
Make a 3-minute video pitch (deadline 09/09/’22)
Make a A1 poster (deadline 21/09/’22)
Indicate the name, affiliation and contact details of each author

Applications

Register above and indicate your participation to the competition
Send your abstract by the 9^th of September to posters@IC-3Rs.org
Submit your video pitch via a YouTube or Vimeo link by the 9^th of September to posters@IC-3Rs.org for the jury prize
Bring your printed A1 poster to the symposium for the public prize
You will be notified about the acceptance of your abstract and further practical details
Prize winners are expected to give a short pitch about their research work during the award ceremony

Call for Abstracts IC-3Rs Symposium

Deadline: 01/09/2022

All submitted abstracts will be published in the special Symposium 2022 booklet and the video pitches will be posted on the IC-3Rs website and social media, with your agreement.

Poster viewing and voting will be organized during the walking lunch of the Symposium.

All attendees are invited to vote for their favorite poster. A QR code to the voting form will be available onsite and in the Symposium booklet.

The winners of the prize will be announced during the award ceremony and are expected to give a short pitch presentation.