On 10 November, we organised the second TPI Lab Tour Amsterdam in partnership with TPI. Four laboratories and the Amsterdam Division for Laboratory Animal Sciences (ADLAS) opened their doors to demonstrate their work on animal-free alternatives and the replacement, reduction and refinement of animal testing. Over 20 participants took this opportunity to have a look around the labs and meet the researchers.
Animal-free drug development
On the morning of Monday, 10 November, Lab Tour participants gathered at VU Amsterdam’s O/2 Building. They were greeted by Sue Gibbs and Elza van Deel, who organised this tour together with TPI. After a brief introduction describing the TPI programme and its goals, Sue explained a bit more about TPI Amsterdam, drug development and the importance of human tissue and data in research to be able to develop the right drug for each patient.
Image: TPI
Sue Gibbs tells about the advantages of human research models
Different backgrounds, shared interests
It was a highly diverse group of over 20 participants, with, among others, pupils in their final year of secondary education, science journalists, members of the Amsterdam branche of the political party Partij voor de Dieren (Party for the Animals), patient representatives from the Dutch Heart Foundation and Burn Foundation, and donors and employees of anti animal testing foundation Proefdiervrij. They were all interested in hearing what the researchers had to say and learning about the current state of affairs regarding the transition to better research results without animal testing.
Image: TPI
More than 20 people participated in the TPI Labtour Amsterdam
Neurological research, physiology, skin, pluripotent stem cells and test animals
After the general introduction, smaller groups of participants set out. They had indicated which locations they were interested in visiting beforehand. At the labs and ADLAS, researchers described their research and showed what they were working on. In this way, research with and without the use of animals was made visible and tangible.
Image: TPI
Angelica Maria Guaqueta tells about her research with human brainmodels
Pluripotent stem cells from patients
Vivi Heine (Human Model Systems), Stephanie Dooves, Nicole Breeuwsma and Rianne Kruize showed how pluripotent stem cells from patients are grown and maintained in a laboratory. The visitors got a look at the various types of cells cultured here, including cells derived from the heart and brain. These cells are used by researchers as a foundation for research into diseases using human models, to test new therapies and for the development of individualised medical treatments.
Image: TPI
Valentijn Jansen tells about his research with animal muscle cells
Combining human and animal models
Elza van Deel (Education Coordinator and Learning Innovator; Physiology, Heart Centre) gave the participants a tour of the various physiology labs. In these labs, Coen Ottenheijm, Valentijn Jansen, Bianca Brundel, Reinier van der Palen and Philip Hauger research cardiovascular and muscular system diseases. While they use human cell models whenever possible, they also use animal models if there is no alternative available. During the tour, participants got to see how laboratory researchers are working to develop blood vessels, measure cardiac function in larval fruit flies, determine the contraction of an individual cardiac muscle cell and measure muscular force using various models.
Image: TPI
Reinier van der Palen shows fruit flies which are used for research into cardio-cells
Skin research using human cells and tissue
Jasper Koning (Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology) showed how he and his colleagues at the ‘Skin Lab’ are creating sophisticated models of human skin. They use these models to improve their understanding of the skin’s physiology, for example to study the origins of and potential treatments for conditions such as melanoma (skin cancer). Such models can help to reduce animal testing. In future, the researchers want to combine skin and lymph nodes into organ-on-chip platforms for the investigation of cancer, allergies and other types of infection.
Image: TPI
Visitors of the TPI Labtour looking through a microscope at fruit flies
Implants’ influence on our brains
Angelica Maria Sabogal Guaqueta (Molecular Cell Biology and Immunology) showed how her lab uses stem cells, including neuroimmune cells, to grow miniature models of the human brain. Angelica and her colleagues use these models to research how various metals, such as those used in implants, for example, may affect our brain cells’ health and functioning. This can give insight into disorders that cause brain cells to slowly die.
Image: TPI
Philip Hauger shows a model he uses for research with human braincells
Animal testing on fish and other aquatic animals
Animal testing on fish and other aquatic animals
Cindy Kunne (Scientific Director at ADLAS) showed the visitors a video explaining how ADLAS houses and cares for its animals. Next, Tatum Ipenburg (Coordinator Aquatics) took them along to see the facilities for aquatic animals. Besides rats and mice, research can also involve the use of other animals such as fish. For all research using animals covered by the Dutch Experiments on Animals Act, the use of animals is only permitted if there currently is no alternative. ADLAS staff ensures strict compliance with the principles of replacement, reduction and refinement (the 3Rs).
Image: TPI
Elza van Deel and Sue Gibbs have a after talk with participants of the TPI Labtour Amsterdam
Valuable dialogue
During lunch and the closing discussion, the participants were clearly enthusiastic about what is already possible using human research models. They also wondered what was preventing a faster transition. There was an exchange of views on humans’ relations with animals, drug safety and government efforts. Elza concluded the day by commenting that it is a good thing to keep communicating about the transition to human research models, the implications for researchers and for ourselves as human beings. TPI Amsterdam and TPI look back on a rewarding day that was made possible through the contributions of the participants and researchers involved.