Animal-free research methods and models (NAMs) are becoming more prevalent. We are intensifying our efforts to promote the qualification, validation and acceptance of these innovations to pave the way for their integration into scientific practice. At the same time, there is an evident need for greater expertise and knowledge among researchers, biotechnologists and relevant bodies regarding these NAMs (new approach methodologies). Fortunately, several initiatives exist to support researchers and other stakeholders with structured overviews and make information on NAMs more accessible and easier to navigate. 

Tools and databases financed by TPI

TPI (co)financed several tools and databases to facilitate the integration of animal-free innovations into scientific practice:

  • NAM Navigator 
    Helping Researchers and Developers Gain Regulatory Approval for New Approach Methodologies. 
  • INoVA Hub 
    Supporting researchers in the quest for suitable in vivo and alternative models to test their hypotheses.  
  • Suppo3Rt 
    Support desk for access to expertise on NAMs. 

  • Beyond Animal Testing Index (BATI) 
    A transparent, objective and independent benchmark offers public research organisations and their stakeholders more insight in the opportunities they have and the progression they make towards research beyond animal testing.  

  • Vital Tissue 
    Making residual human tissue available for scientific research through a network of hospitals. 

Other tools and databases

AnimalFree Research UK presents several overviews that assist scientists in the transition to animal-free research: 

  • Animal-Free Biomaterial Providers Database 
    The animal-free Biomaterials Prividers Database is a useful repository of companies offering animal-free products including serum-free media, antibodies, hydrogels and proteins. 
  • NAMs Companies Interface 
    The NAMs Companies Interface is a database providing animal-free biomaterials, information and training. 
  • NAMs Resources Database
    The NAMs Resources Database contains links to organisations and companies offering training in NAM protocols, safety and alternatives to animal-derived materials. 
  • FCS-free Database
    A database to find serum-free medial compositions for hundreds of commonly used cel lines. Many humanisation methods are also available from published literature. 

Peerlogic 
Conversational AI Assistant for Modern Practices. Turn every patient conversation into actionable insights that elevate your practices. 

European Medicines Regulatory Database 
A free-to-access interactive dashboard that stores and displays daily-updated information on the regulation of medicines for human use in the European Union (EU).  

Basement Membrane Extract (BME)-free Database 
The BME-free Database provides researchers with an overview of commercially available hydrogel- and coating-based products for in vitro applications wherefore BME is commonly used, such as organoids, spheroids, and others.   

TSAR - Tracking System for Alternative methods towards 
TSAR indicates the stages methods have reached in terms of acceptance as a recognised test method for use in various sectors together with a summary description.  

Recombinant Antibodies & Mimetics Database 
The Recombinant Antibodies & Mimetics Database strives to raise awareness among researchers while encouraging suppliers to adopt innovative, scientifically advanced, and ethically sustainable technologies.  

BimmoH : Biomedical models Hub 
A human biology based curated database designed to structure and consolidate information about models to support biomedical research. 

Additions to this overview are very welcome. Please contact us (tpi@lnv.nl) if you know of other relevant websites that facilitate the integration of NAMs in scientific practice. 

NAMs databases initiators share their insights

To highlight some of these initiatives and make them more accessible to researchers and other stakeholders, we spoke with the individuals behind the development and administration of these platforms.

"Researchers don’t always know who’s working on similar techniques.” Interview with Mieke Mulders, scientist at Sciensano, Belgium’s public health institute on the RE-Place database.

“What we need is a paradigm shift” Interview with Tamara Zietek, scientist and CEO at Doctors Against Animal Experiments in Germany on the NAT Database.

“Replacing animal models means reshaping the scientific system” Interview with Dr. Ingrid Langezaal, toxicologist and scientific officer at EURL ECVAM and Pierre Deceuninck, data scientist at the Joint Research Centre about TSAR.

“We want to offer everyone the opportunity to learn” Interview with Vivian Kral, senior researcher and lecturer at the Institute of Pharmacy at the Freie Universität Berlin on the 3Rs InfoHub.

“You can’t change what you can’t see” Interview with Jennifer McCormack, biomedical scientist at TNO on INova Hub.

Unfamiliarity with NAMs databases

The 3Rs Centre Utrecht carried out an inventory study commissioned by the Transition Programme for animal-free Innovation (TPI), that examined access to expertise in the field of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs), the need for additional expertise and also initiatives to increase this access. The findings indicate that multiple initiatives are available for offering researchers support and expertise for developing, qualifying (fundamental and translational research), validating (safety research) and applying animal-free innovations. Yet only 3% of the respondents report using these databases and platforms. The main causes cited are unfamiliarity with the initiatives and lack of knowledge on how to use them.