Alternative non-animal methods in biomedical research

New approach methodologies (NAMs), comprising in vitro and in silico approaches, aim at adding an advanced mechanistical understanding in biomedical research. These methods support the 3R principles (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement) and have gained increasing importance following regulatory changes, including the European Union’s Directive 2010/63/EU, which promotes the reduction of animal experimentation and the FDA’s decision to no longer require animal testing prior to certain human drug trials. 

This course will provide postgraduate and doctoral students with a comprehensive overview of NAMs applied in biomedical research, pharmaceutical industry, toxicology testing, and regulatory decision making. The course will cover advanced human-relevant in vitro models such as organoids and organ-on-chip systems, and in silico approaches, including systems biology, machine learning, and AI-based tools for disease modelling and drug discovery. 

Recent technological developments and scientific findings arising from NAMs will be presented as well as approaches for their regulatory acceptance, and hands-on educational initiatives. Speakers from academia, industry, and regulatory bodies will present their work and discuss how experimental, computational, and AI-driven approaches can be integrated to improve translational relevance and regulatory decision-making. Students will have the opportunity to engage in informal discussions with invited speakers and visit a local biomedical research company to gain practical insights into the implementation of NAMs in industry.

Course director: Šárka Lehtonen (A.I. Virtanen Institute), Board member of Finnish 3R for replacement. 
Course co-organizers: Stefanie Klima (A.I. Virtanen Institute), Katja Sirviö (Ferring Ventures Oy). 

Please follow this link for the programme. In the programme, registration will open at 8:30.

Registration for the course is open until 10 August.

Welcome!

For further information, please contact Šárka Lehtonen, email [email protected].