A3RC Online-Event: Animal free laboratory

In the first presentation Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr. Doris Wilfingseder, PhD Stefanie Dichtl and PhD student Viktoria Zaderer presented their latest human in vitro 3D respiratory tract models. Neither the cell culture nor the lung organoid requires animal components. Instead of rat collagen, which is derived from rat tails, Transwell's GrowDex, a cellulose-based extracellular matrix, is now used for cell growth. They described two variants of cell cultivation in their organoid model, with the CelVivo system being the absolute animal-free method compared to the Geltrex/Matrigel. Both models are well suited for the observation of all host-pathogen interactions and can thus also be used in the testing of new drugs.

Prof. Priv.-Doz. Mag. Dr. Beate Rinner gave a lecture on different human in vitro skin models, especially on the hOESEC (human organotypic skin explant culture), for research on melanoma. To create a hOESEC, human preputial tissue and a medium are required. The cell medium used for this purpose is not of animal origin. To analyze morphological changes, cytotoxicity as well as cytokine release of the cells and migration of immune cells, cells cultured at room temperature or at 37°C in an incubator were examined at different time points using different methods. These models could already be used for research on different melanoma cell lines obtained from patients. An attempt to test a pharmaceutical for therapy has already been equally successful.

The last presentation, given by Farhad Chariyev-Prinz PhD, was about hydrogel, a protein- or sugar-based 3D polymer that could be an effective tool to mimic human tissue. It mimics tissue-typical capabilities, such as its mechanics or cell adhesions, enabling cell growth and differentiation. As part of his doctoral research, Farhad has been working on in vitro modeling for chondrogenesis. These models could serve to replace all joint studies in animals.

Last but not least, we would like to thank the speakers again for the interesting presentations of their latest research results, as well as all participants for joining our online event.

The breathtaking world of animal-free immune-competent respiratory barrier models

Doris Wilflingseder, Stefanie Dichtl, Viktoria Zaderer

Medical University of Innsbruck

In vitro melanoma models

Beate Rinner

Medical University of Graz

Mimicry of physiological aspects using hydrogels

Farhad Chariyev-Prinz

University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences

On 21st of April our A3RC Online Event with the title "Towards replacement of animal-derived components in physiologically relevant human in vitro models" took place. Informative presentations were given by researchers from the Medical Universities of Graz and Innsbruck as well as from the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences in Vienna about alternative possibilities to the use of animals or animal products in research.