3Rs Centre Utrecht

The 3Rs Centre Utrecht (3RCU) provides centralized information about the 3Rs, works closely with researchers to stimulate the development, implementation and adoption of the 3Rs and develops and hosts different (digital) 3Rs tools.
Although we support 3Rs initiatives in the broadest sense, we have defined focus points where the 3RCU leads and aims to create awareness, adherence and movement. We do so by starting media campaigns, by organizing working groups and round tables, by facilitating helpathons, internships and collaborations, and by providing assistance when searching for funding.

Our focus points are:

• Replacement of animal-derived products (such as fetal calf serum, basement membrane extracts and antibodies) in cell culture – join the ReALiSe Working Group and see below for databases.
• Bridging the NAMs and the 3Rs perspective. As animal-free methods and New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) continue to evolve, expertise becomes more specialized and may not be accessible to everyone. To facilitate access to NAMs expertise, we established and run Suppo3Rt – a staffed helpdesk.
• Safeguarding animal and human welfare through promotion of a Culture of Care. As long as animals are still used for scientific research and education, it remains our moral duty to safeguard their welfare as well as the welfare of those working with them. The institutional embedding of this mindset is defined as a “Culture of Care”: an organization-wide culture in which everyone involved feels actively responsible for the 3Rs and for the wellbeing of animals and humans—going beyond what is required by the legal framework.

The 3RCU hosts a central hub for 3Rs tools, both for educational and research applications.

Our hub contains tools from external sources such as 3Rs search engines and databases, but also self-developed tools such as:

• Fetal Calf Serum (FCS)-free database
• Basement Membrane Extract (BME, such as Matrigel)-free database
• Interspecies Database
• Humane Endpoints Website