Alternative methods

The scientists at the BNITM have a great interest in advancing infection research using animal-free methods. These so-called alternative methods represent a mixture of replacement and supplementary methods in the sense of the 3R principle, which serve to reduce the number of animals and improve interventions on animals (refine).

One focus at the BNITM is the use of human organoids instead of infection research on living animals. Organoids are three-dimensional cell groups cultivated in the laboratory that organize themselves into cell structures and thus resemble the development and organization of tissues and organs in the human body. These in vitro miniaturized simplified model systems of organs originate either from reprogrammed pluripotent stem cells, which can form specialized cells such as liver cells through differentiation, or from healthy primary donor cells. These systems are generally based on findings from previous animal experiments.

Currently, human organoids are already being used at the BNITM in several different studies on a variety of parasitic and viral infectious diseases. For example, lung and/or liver organoids are used to identify mechanisms of the innate immune system that play a role in viral diseases, such as influenza, or parasitic diseases, such as leishmaniasis. In order to gain better insights at a systems biology level, the first infection models are already being used on multi-organ chips on which various organoids are brought into a physiological network. The application of these approaches may offer new potential strategies for treating these diseases in the future.

Although the BNITM aims to reduce animal testing in its entirety, it is not yet possible to completely dispense with animal experiments for certain issues, as alternative methods have often only been able to simulate partial aspects of the complex processes in the human body. 

In order to further develop research in this field with innovative methods and technologies, the BNITM is part of the Leibniz Research Network “Stem Cells and Organoids”. Here, various institutes of the Leibniz Association pool their expertise so that these organ-like experimental models can represent an additional alternative method to animal experiments.

Further information on the Leibniz Research Network can be found on the Leibniz Association website.