"Researchers don’t always know who’s working on similar techniques.”
How the RE-Place database accelerates animal-free innovation in Belgian science
“A human isn’t just a 70-kilo mouse,” says Mieke Van Mulders. As a scientist at Sciensano, Belgium’s public health institute, she’s been working, in collaboration with the Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), on the RE-Place project since it was launched in 2017. “While many animal models, including mice, have offered valuable insights in driving scientific progress over the past decades, it’s also important to recognize their current limitations in replicating human biological systems”.
Every day, Mieke and her colleague Maude focus on mapping out Belgium’s expertise in New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) and making that knowledge more accessible to others. “There’s a lot happening in the field of non-animal methods,” she says. “But people often work in silos. Even within the same university, researchers don’t always know who’s working on similar techniques. That’s a missed opportunity.” The RE-Place database was developed to bring more clarity on who does what.
From parliamentary question to national knowledge hub
The origins of RE-Place can be traced back to a question raised in the Flemish Parliament in 2016: How far along are we in replacing animal testing? Who has expertise in these new methods, and what’s realistically possible today? That question sparked the creation of a local platform, commissioned by the Flemish and Brussels government and co-developed by Sciensano and the VUB. At the heart of the project is a searchable database of non-animal methods used or developed in Belgium. “RE-Place is built around people just as much as methods,” Mieke says. “You don’t just search for a test or a technique. You search for the person behind it, someone you can actually call or email. That is why we strive to include contact information, so that scientists can contact each other.”
What’s inside the database?
Today, RE-Place hosts more than 300 methods submitted by over 200 experts across Belgian academic and scientific institutions, industry, spin-offs and contract research organizations. These include in vitro tests using cell lines or primary cells, but also newer models such as organoids, organ-on-a-chip technologies, and in silico tools like read across and machine learning models, and combinations of these. “The biggest contributors so far are the universities VUB, KU Leuven, Ghent University, and others. But we’re seeing more and more interest from startups and pharmaceutical companies as well,” Mieke says. “We also include methods that aren’t yet validated or widely used. That’s a deliberate choice. Innovation doesn’t just come from finished products, it’s also about what’s still in development.”
Designed for ease of use
The team behind RE-Place wanted the platform to be as accessible as possible. “We started out with templates from European databases,” Mieke explains, “but those were very detailed and technical. We needed something more user-friendly.” So the RE-Place team initiated a collaboration with a local IT firm to build an online tool that researchers can use to submit their methods in just a few steps. “They can upload a summary or abstract, but they’re also free to include images, PDFs, PowerPoint slides, or links to their research or LinkedIn profiles. It’s up to them how much information they want to share.” This makes it easier for researchers to participate, while still providing a central access point for others to find relevant information. The database includes search filters for the type of technique, application area, organization, and more. “It’s meant to be intuitive,” Mieke says. “You can look up who’s working on liver-on-a-chip models in Belgium, or who’s experienced in QSAR modelling. It helps foster direct contact, which is so often the missing link.”
Beyond the database
RE-Place is more than a database. “We’re very active in outreach,” Mieke says. The team hosts webinars, symposia, and onsite information sessions at universities and companies. “We go to people, not just wait for them to come to us.” These events help increase awareness, but they also encourage researchers to contribute their own expertise. Every month, RE-Place publishes a newsletter highlighting two submitted methods, alongside updates on legislation, funding opportunities, and international initiatives. RE-Place is active on LinkedIn, X (Twitter), YouTube, and even BlueSky. “We know people are busy,” Mieke says, “so we try to push information proactively, and make it easy to stay informed.” This year, RE-Place will also give out a RE-Place Award at the MPS World Summit: an international conference on organoid technologies. “It’s our way of recognizing researchers who are making real strides in the field.”
Supporting scientists and policymakers
Researchers aren’t the only ones using the database. Ethics committees, regulatory authorities, and government agencies also turn to RE-Place for up-to-date information. “We’re often asked for input on 3R-related questions or advice on particular topics from the local authorities,” Mieke says. “And the platform helps us respond quickly and accurately.” Interestingly, although the platform was created to map Belgian expertise, its reach has extended far beyond national borders. “Google Analytics shows that we’re getting users from the Netherlands, Germany, France, the US, and even China,” Mieke says. “That’s not something we actively promoted, but it shows how relevant this information is worldwide. Science knows no boundaries.”
Looking ahead
There are plenty of ideas for the future. “We’re currently working on an optimized version of the website to improve usability,” Mieke shares. “And we’re exploring new incentives for researchers, like accreditation for webinar participation or credit hours for submitting a method.” The team is also discussing potential collaborations with scientific research foundations to scale up the RE-Place project to integrate more methods in the platform. But growth must be balanced with sustainability. “The reason RE-Place works is because it’s local, focused, and personal. We know our contributors, and they know us. That one-on-one contact makes a huge difference. But it also takes time, and people.” Ultimately, the hope is to keep building on that trust. “If we can continue to grow, maintain the quality of what we offer, and give researchers a reliable overview of what’s possible in Belgium. That’s already a huge win.”
Why it matters
For Mieke and the RE-Place team, the motivation is both scientific and personal. “Ethically, if there’s a way to avoid animal testing, we should take it. But scientifically too, using human-relevant models can give better, faster results, especially in fields like personalized medicine. The pressure is growing. From the public, from the European Green Deal, from the scientific community itself. There’s real momentum now, which is also shown by the ongoing work of the European Commission on the roadmap to phase out animal testing for chemical safety assessment. And platforms like RE-Place help make that momentum concrete.” So what’s the biggest wish for the future of RE-Place? “That people know where to find us. That we become the go-to platform for anyone in Belgium who wants to work animal-free. And who knows. Maybe one day, far beyond Belgium too.”
RE-Place
Interview: Hannah van der Vegt