Scientific Programme

The continuous demand for innovation in science and industry drives the development of novel compounds and medical devices. This process operates within a tightly regulated framework that is itself subject to constant adaptation. In Europe, the introduction of the Medical Device Regulation (MDR) has transformed the device landscape, with initiatives such as the breakthrough medical device (BtMD) designation further redefining regulatory pathways. Similar dynamics apply to the development and testing of new drugs and in vitro diagnostics (IVD)’s.

This presentation will outline the importance of understanding physiology in the era of -omics technologies and artificial intelligence. I will highlight that the “pipeline of innovation” is depending on permeability in order to allow new ideas and scientific developments to become novel therapies and innovative devices. Besides the scientific part of the pipeline, I will also address the regulatory framework required to bring new drugs or devices to the market. I will briefly address human-relevant models beyond traditional rodent and canine studies, with a particular focus on in silico and in vitro approaches, including high-throughput iPSC-based organoid systems. For medical devices, we will examine available small and large animal models used to evaluate biocompatibility and functional performance of implantable technologies. Finally, a case study will illustrate the journey of a Class III medical device—from initial concept through patenting to prototype development.

By the conclusion of this presentation, participants should understand the importance of physiology in large animals as one aspect in the evaluation of innovative medical products.

The cardiac channelopathies long QT (LQTS) and short QT syndrome (SQTS) are mainly caused by pathogenic variants in the cardiac ion channel genes KCNQ1 or KCNH2, leading to loss-of-function or gain-of-function of KCNQ1/IKs or hERG/IKr currents. These lead to a pathologically prolonged or accelerated cardiac repolarization, respectively, which both predispose the heart to potentially lethal ventricular tachyarrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Current therapies primarily reduce proarrhythmic triggers or terminate arrhythmias once they occur with an implantable defibrillator, but do not correct the underlying disease mechanisms. Consequently, life-threatening arrhythmias can still occur, underscoring the need for more effective, mechanism-based therapies. We have developed AAV9-based suppression-replacement gene therapy approaches targeting either the mutant KCNQ1 or KCNH2, have delivered them through a cardiac-specific approach via the coronaries, and have tested their efficacy to normalize electrical cardiac function in transgenic rabbit models of LQTS and SQTS. Rabbits are particularly well-suited for this purpose because of pronounced similarities to humans in cardiac electrophysiology, KCNQ1 and KCNH2 sequence, structure and function.

We could demonstrate that KCNH2-SupRep normalized the shortened QT interval / action potential duration (APD) in SQT1 rabbits (carrying the KCNH2-N588K gain-of-function variant) and that KCNQ1-SupRep normalized the prolonged QT / APD in LQT1 rabbits (carrying the KCNQ1-Y315S loss-of-function variant) in vivo and on the cellular level. Moreover, at the ex vivo whole-heart level, KCNH2-SupRep corrected action potential duration (APD) and resolved the increased apicobasal regional APD heterogeneity observed in untreated (UT)-SQT1 hearts, supporting an antiarrhythmic effect, which was further validated by reduced re-entry formation in silico. At the cellular level, KCNH2-SupRep prolonged APD in cardiomyocytes from SupRep-SQT1 rabbits towards the wild-type levels. Additionally, KCNH2-SupRep normalized IKr in nearly 50% of cardiomyocytes, in line with a 50%–60% suppression of the mutant KCNH2 transcript. Based on these encouraging results, we are currently conducting an IND-enabling preclinical study of KCNH2-SupRep gene therapy in transgenic LQT2 rabbits.

Cardiovascular diseases remain a leading cause of death worldwide. While in humans and other mammals a myocardial infarction leaves a permanent fibrotic scar in the heart, often leading to impaired heart function and, in many cases, death, other vertebrates, such as the zebrafish, can regenerate their heart after injury, replacing the scar with new myocardium and recovering cardiac function. Our research aims to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms that enable heart regeneration in the zebrafish. We use cryoinjury of the adult zebrafish heart, a model that mimics key features of the injury response after myocardial infarction—localized tissue death and an immune response to clear cellular debris—but demonstrates regenerative properties such as activation of cell proliferation programs, transient deposition of scar tissue, and finally replacement of the scar by newly formed tissue.

Over the years we have investigated different aspects of this process. We identified key contributors to this process among several cell types. These include a pro-regenerative macrophage population, extracellular matrix-producing fibroblasts, and specific cardiomyocyte subpopulations. We also showed that metabolic rewiring can benefit regeneration. Finally, to reduce the use of animals, we established laser ablation as a method to induce injuries in zebrafish embryos. This embryonic model allows us to perform preliminary evaluations of candidate genes, reducing the number of adult animals needed to answer our research questions.

Biological sex influences the composition of the myocardium and the molecular and biochemical profile of cardiovascular cell types. However, to what extent does it determine the myocardium's susceptibility to ischemia-reperfusion injury? Despite extensive research, this seemingly straightforward question remains difficult to answer. A review of literature from three representative cardiovascular journals suggests that infarct size following experimental myocardial ischemia-reperfusion is comparable between female and male animal models. Similarly, evidence for consistent, fundamental sex differences at the cellular level remains inconclusive. These findings challenge the assumption that biological sex necessarily results in distinct myocardial injury responses. They also highlight the importance of considering the experimental context, methodological variability, and the specific mechanisms under investigation.

Systematically considering sex in experimental design, mechanistic studies, and data analysis is essential to improving the rigor, reproducibility, and translational relevance of cardiovascular research. However, a key question remains: To what extent do findings from experimental models reflect the clinical reality of myocardial infarction in women and men? There is a need for a critical examination and exploration of the challenges of translating experimental findings into clinical practice, as well as a discussion of which experimental models are best suited to capture the biological, clinical, and gender-related factors that shape cardiovascular disease in patients.

This presentation aims to provide a comprehensive overview of small animal models used in cardiovascular (CV) disease research, with particular emphasis on the experience and translational research environment in Vienna. The talk will highlight both genetic and non-genetic models of pressure overload–induced cardiac hypertrophy, illustrating how these experimental systems contribute to our understanding of cardiac remodeling, heart failure progression, and therapeutic development. Special attention will be given to the importance of biological sex as a critical variable in CV research, emphasizing sex-specific differences in disease susceptibility, progression, and treatment response that are increasingly recognized as essential for reproducibility and translational relevance.

In addition, the presentation will discuss cardiovascular involvement in muscular dystrophy models, focusing on the value of preclinical systems in understanding cardiomyopathy associated with neuromuscular disorders. The unique contribution of rat models will also be explored, particularly their advantages in physiological monitoring, imaging, and translational cardiovascular studies when compared with murine systems. A further focus will address the growing interest in cancer and tumor-bearing mouse models as tools to investigate the relationship between cancer, cancer therapies, and cardiometabolic dysfunction. These emerging models provide important opportunities to uncover mechanisms underlying cardio-oncology complications and to identify early predictors of cardiovascular risk associated with malignancy and anti-cancer treatment. Finally, the presentation will emphasize the central role of advanced imaging technologies in small animal cardiovascular research. Imaging modalities not only enable longitudinal and non-invasive assessment of cardiac structure and function, but also represent a key factor in improving reproducibility, standardization, and translational validity across preclinical studies. By integrating diverse disease models with state-of-the-art imaging approaches, this presentation will provide participants with a broad perspective on current strategies and future directions in small animal models of cardiovascular research.

Congenital heart defects, cardiomyopathies and sensorineural hearing loss can co-occur in rare genetic disorders, suggesting shared developmental pathways. Using genetically modified mouse models, we investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying cardiac and auditory abnormalities across developmental stages. By combining cardiac phenotyping with transcriptomic and spatial analyses, we explore how genetic alterations affect tissue development and function. These approaches provide insights into potentially shared molecular pathways and illustrate the value of mouse models for understanding rare human disorders and identifying candidate mechanisms relevant to cardiovascular disease.

Targeted and precision medicine are transforming oncology by enabling diagnostics and therapies tailored to the biological characteristics of individual patients. However, a major challenge in translational cancer research remains the gap between experimental development systems and the complexity of naturally occurring disease. While large animal models such as pigs or sheep are valuable, their use is often limited by high costs and ethical considerations. At the same time, companion animals with spontaneous cancers represent an underutilized opportunity for translational research that may benefit both veterinary and human medicine. PET4PETs is an interdisciplinary Swiss initiative that combines expertise in medical physics, radiochemistry, veterinary oncology, and clinical imaging to establish advanced PET/CT imaging in dogs with naturally occurring cancer. In human oncology, PET/CT is an essential tool for staging metastatic disease and guiding targeted therapies. However, access to PET imaging in veterinary medicine remains extremely limited, despite the high prevalence of cancer in dogs and the translational relevance of these patients.

A key animal welfare aspect of the project is that PET imaging is integrated into clinically indicated diagnostic procedures already performed under general anesthesia. Adding a PET scan to a standard CT examination only minimally increases procedure time and risk while potentially improving staging accuracy and treatment planning for the individual animal. This approach avoids unnecessary interventions in healthy laboratory animals and instead focuses on patients that may directly benefit from improved diagnostics. The consortium builds on successful proof-of-concept studies and aims to develop dedicated PET technology optimized for veterinary applications, alongside novel radiotracers for future translational use. PET4PETs demonstrates how naturally occurring disease models in companion animals can reduce reliance on experimental animal studies while advancing precision oncology and improving clinical care across species.

Alpelisib plus fulvestrant demonstrated a significant progression-free survival benefit versus fulvestrant in patients with PIK3CA-mutated HR+/HER2− advanced breast cancer. Hyperglycemia, an on-target adverse effect of PI3Kα inhibition, can lead to dose modifications, potentially impacting alpelisib efficacy. Here we report blood glucose data from preclinical studies performed in telemetered conscious, stress-free, pair-housed and freely moving normoglycemic and ZDF (Zucker Diabetic Fatty) diabetic rats treated with alpelisib. For the first time, a continuous 24 h data profile on blood glucose could be obtained following treatment with alpelisib, a selective inhibitor of the PI3K isoform alpha in normoglycemic and ZDF diabetic rats. Blood glucose circadian changes in normoglycemic rats significantly differed from those in diabetic animals. Alpelisib daily treatment at a clinically relevant dose in rats induced a drastic glucose increase over 24 h in diabetic rats as compared to normoglycemic rats.

Animal distress and measurement variability commonly associated with glucose test strips are highly reduced in telemetered rats. This could improve diagnosis accuracy, reduce animal numbers needed to detect significant drug effects and therapy translatability from preclinical models to clinical studies. Any refinements of measurement techniques that reduce research animal distress should answer both the need for high-quality data and the call for improved care and welfare of the animals. Exploiting a novel real-time telemetry device to monitor blood glucose remotely and continuously in conscious, stress-free, pair-housed and freely moving normoglycemic and diabetic rats provides opportunities for such assessments.

Research into the use of computer modeling and simulation in all areas of health and care has significantly increased over the past decades. It is known under many names, including in silico medicine, digital twins or virtual human twins. The common element they all share is the use of digital technologies, ranging from AI to mechanistic models, to answer specific problems related to prevention, diagnosis, treatment prediction and follow-up of the patient, or to design, optimize, de-risk and personalize medical therapies. While big strides have been taken in terms of technology development and regulatory science, many challenges remain that are holding back acceleration and uptake of the technologies in clinical practice. The Virtual Human Twins Initiative, kicked off by the European Commission in 2023, aims to jointly tackle those challenges. It started by bringing together the entire ecosystem: patients, citizens, healthcare providers, academia, industry, regulators, health technology assessment agencies and policy makers. In a joint effort, over 800 individuals from all across the world contributed to the creation of the vision for the VHT and the writing of its roadmap.

Though the primary focus of the VHT initiative is on improving human healthcare challenges, there are wide-ranging implications for laboratory animal science as well. In this talk, I will discuss a number of examples that demonstrate how Virtual Human Twin models can be used to reduce, refine and, in some cases, replace animal (and human) experimentation. From running longitudinal experiments where models allow us to link the quantities of interest with non-destructively measurable quantities, over the use of in silico screening experiments to optimize experimental conditions, to running in silico (clinical) trials. In addition, I will show examples of how these in silico tools are an integral part of biomedical research, allowing us to integrate observations from both in vitro and in vivo model systems across different time and length-scales, in order to gain deeper insight into biological phenomena and biomedical challenges.

Public and political debates surrounding animal experimentation are often framed as a binary choice between continuation and prohibition. In reality, the scientific and regulatory landscape is far more nuanced. Animal studies span diverse fields, from basic research and translational medicine to safety assessment and regulatory testing. Consequently, replacement cannot rely on a single universal solution but requires precision replacement strategies that align specific scientific questions with validated new approach methodologies (NAMs).

This presentation examines the current landscape of replacement in Switzerland and internationally, including political initiatives and evolving regulatory frameworks in Europe and the United Kingdom. Rather than advocating blanket bans before robust alternatives are available, increasing evidence supports implementing validated NAMs where they provide equivalent or scientific value and progressively phasing out animal procedures accordingly. The talk highlights how successful replacement depends on scientific rigor, transparency, and context-specific evaluation. While substantial progress has been made in toxicology and drug discovery, other research areas, such as disease modeling, remain scientifically challenging. Ultimately, the future of animal research will depend on targeted replacement strategies, evidence-based regulations, continued innovation in NAMs, and sustained collaboration among researchers, regulators, industry, and policymakers.

Refinement encompasses the lifetime experience of laboratory animals and extends beyond specific experimental procedures. The 3Hs initiative was launched in 2024 and provides a framework that considers the lifetime experience of laboratory animals and methods that improve their welfare by focusing on the 3Hs: Housing, Handling and Habituation. The framework is based on two core principles: to minimise the use of physical restraint and to use positive reinforcement to reduce the aversive effects of routine management and regulated procedures. This presentation will provide an overview of the 3Hs initiative and examples of methods developed recently to support refinement in oral dosing and management of animals with head-mounted devices and requiring periods of restraint to facilitate scientific objectives. It will also consider some of the challenges faced when implementing 3Hs approaches.

Meaningful progress in improving research animal welfare and the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement) requires more than scientific evidence. It requires people to change. In turn, a focus on improving human well-being and utilizing human behavior change theory can be powerful tools for advancing animal welfare, improving research quality, and improving the lives of the people who make it all possible.

This talk will present an integrated framework for driving measurable change by centering the people who carry out animal research. First, compassion fatigue in the animal research community will be discussed, including key risk factors and evidence-based strategies for building individual and institutional resilience. Mixed-methods research will be presented, including findings that professional quality of life is linked to staff retention. Second, applied case studies in using human behavior change theory to create widespread 3Rs change will be explored on topics such as rat tickling, refined mouse handling techniques, and environmental health monitoring. Together, these topics demonstrate a key insight. When institutions deeply consider the people doing the work of animal research, the benefits multiply: for animal welfare, science and humans both doing and receiving the benefits of the work. Attendees will leave with a practical framework and concrete evidence that centering people accelerates both 3Rs progress and workplace well-being to the benefit of all.

The brain’s ability for information processing and body control hinges on the highly complex arrangement of neurons into a functional network, with each neuron typically connected to others via thousands of synapses. Deciphering the cellular architecture of brain tissue at the level of individual synaptic connections, i.e. deriving connectomes at synaptic detail, requires nanometer scale resolution, comprehensive structural contrast, and the ability to image across spatial scales. Volume electron microscopy has been the technological basis for reconstructing connectomes in diverse organisms, but obtaining molecular information is challenging and the required instrumentation is typically only available to dedicated labs. Light microscopy provides major opportunities for integrating molecular and functional information into neuronal circuit reconstructions, but has been limited to reconstructing sparse subsets of cells.

I will discuss our recent development of light microscopy based connectomics (LICONN) https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-08985-1. LICONN is based on a specifically engineered hydrogel expansion technology that provides the resolution, signal-to-noise-ratio and volumetric imaging capabilities required for tracing even thin neuronal structures and for densely reconstructing tissue architecture at synaptic resolution using deep-learning methods. LICONN is directly compatible with labeling and multicolour imaging of specific molecules while imaging can proceed with standard off-the-shelf microscopes, facilitating adoption of the technology. I will highlight our recent efforts in volume scaling and increasing molecular information content toward multimodal mapping of brain tissue in a quest to access qualitatively new types of information from the biological tissue.

Even in well-run facilities and carefully planned studies, situations arise that nobody could have anticipated. These moments can be a valuable source of information, but only if there is a structured way to capture and share them.

CIRS-LAS is a voluntary, anonymous reporting system for critical incidents and near misses in laboratory animal science. It is based on a concept that has long been established in human medicine. Its purpose is not documentation for its own sake, but collective learning: an experience that occurs once in one facility becomes knowledge that is available to everyone.

This talk will work through two real reports in detail - one from experimental work and one from animal husbandry - following each one from submission through analysis to the changes prompted by the report. The first report demonstrates that a measure introduced as a refinement can, under certain conditions, increase severity. The second report concerns a routine step whose omission was almost impossible to notice. It was reported by someone outside the project leadership and illustrates why anonymity is not an end in itself, but rather the very reason this experience was shared.

We will also address the most frequently asked questions: how anonymity and data protection are ensured and how long reporting actually takes in daily practice.

Controlled atmosphere stunning (CAS) with carbon dioxide (CO₂) remains the most widely used method for euthanasia of laboratory rodents worldwide. However, its use raises important animal welfare concerns because it is aversive and induces respiratory distress that may result in anxiety and pain before loss of consciousness (LOC). Identifying other gases that minimize distress while ensuring rapid LOC therefore remains a key refinement objective to improve CAS. We recently conducted a comprehensive multimodal assessment of two CO₂ volume displacement rates, nitrogen (N₂), and carbon monoxide (CO) euthanasia in female and male C57BL/6N mice. By integrating electroencephalography (EEG), electromyography (EMG), cardiovascular and respiratory measurements, behavioral analysis, locomotor activity, and biochemical stress markers, we established objective endpoints for loss of posture and LOC and evaluated the overall welfare impact of different euthanasia protocols. These data provided important insights into the relationship between physiological, neurological, and behavioral responses during CAS gas euthanasia.

Building on this framework, we additionally investigated whether the welfare burden associated with CO₂ euthanasia can be further reduced through prior induction with gaseous anesthetic agents. Specifically, we evaluate nitrous oxide (N₂O), isoflurane, and sevoflurane before CO₂ euthanasia, assessing their effects on behavioral, respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological, and biochemical indicators in female and male C57BL/6J and BALB/c mice. This approach allows direct comparison of euthanasia protocols across different sexes and strains while addressing the critical question of whether anesthetic induction reduces overall distress or merely shifts it to an earlier phase. Together, these studies provide a comprehensive evaluation of current and proposed refinement strategies and contribute evidence-based recommendations for improving the welfare of laboratory mice during euthanasia.

Micropipette-guided drug administration (MDA) is a voluntary oral drug delivery method for rodents designed to minimise stress and the risk of injury, in contrast to traditional oral gavage, which remains the most widely used technique. By allowing animals to voluntarily consume drugs without restraint, MDA improves animal welfare while maintaining experimental accuracy and represents a refinement within the 3R framework. The method has been applied across multiple research fields, including neuroscience, oncology, infections, and behavioural studies. As interest in alternatives to gavage increases, preserving the principles of voluntary intake and minimal restraint is essential to maintain the refinement benefits of MDA and ensure reliable scientific outcomes.

The Technical Information on blood withdrawal has been revised with the aim of updating the already existing technical information with the current animal welfare standards and making the necessary methodological adjustments. The updates are partially based on already existing guidelines. The Technical Information on individual housing of incompatible mice has been newly drafted. The interpretation of the limited duration, as mentioned under Article 119 Paragraph 2 of the Animal Protection Ordinance (AniPO) has frequently been the subject of queries and has led to difficulties in laboratory animal facilities and in enforcement. The Technical Information is intended to clarify this issue. In addition, the appendix to the document provides information on the causes of aggression between mice as well as guidance on how to prevent it, which is also intended to help avoid the individual housing of laboratory mice. As a result of the revision of the Animal Welfare Ordinance and Animal Experimentation Ordinance from 2024, the Explanatory Notes on Form A and those on Form HC have been revised. The Explanatory Notes on Form HC were amended primarily with regard to the information relating to the two new categories that must be reported from the reporting year 2026 onwards (animals not used for animal experiments: dead/killed or transferred to third parties). They also include explanations of how the animals are counted depending on their species and stage of development. The Explanatory Notes on Form A have undergone a fundamental revision and expansion and are now being published as technical information. The document now goes beyond simply serving as a guide to completing Form A and provides in-depth information and clarifications on the legal basis underpinning Form A.

The Manual on the Enforcement of Animal Welfare Legislation (Manual) is a handbook and tool for Veterinary Authorities. It is developed jointly by the Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO) and the cantons (Swiss Veterinary Service). It is intended to ensure the consistent implementation of animal welfare regulations across all cantons and to provide the authorities with guidance in carrying out their duties. Following the completion of the manual chapters in the areas of livestock and pet welfare, work has been carried out over the past few months on drafting the chapter entitled ‘Animal experimentation and the keeping of laboratory animals’. It is intended to serve as an up-to-date and comprehensive knowledge base for the cantons, containing information, guidance notes, sample documents and other materials, all of which are underpinned by the relevant legal framework and are to be used in the assessment of applications and the monitoring process. During its development, it became apparent that certain documents from the Manual dedicated to animal experimentation warranted publication, as they could concern not only the authorities, but also researchers, animal facility managers, animal welfare officers, and animal experimentation committees. To date, three documents have been published and will be presented during this talk: Legal considerations regarding the indispensability of animal experiments and the conditions for approval; Explanations of which animal species and developmental stages are covered by Chapter 6 of the Animal Protection Ordinance (AniPO), and Return of insufficient animal experimentation applications. As the Manual is still being drafted, it is possible that other documents may also be published.

Alzheimer’s disease presents significant sex and gender differences in its prevalence, progression, and clinical manifestations, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to neuroscience research. Biological factors, including hormonal influences, genetic mechanisms, and sex-specific cellular pathways, may contribute to differences in disease susceptibility and progression, while gender-related factors can influence risk exposure, diagnosis, and access to care.

Integrating sex and gender perspectives into Alzheimer’s research is essential to improve our understanding of disease mechanisms and advance more precise and equitable therapeutic strategies. In this context, in vitro research offers valuable opportunities to investigate sex-specific cellular responses, molecular pathways, neuroinflammation, and interactions between neurons and other brain cell types under controlled experimental conditions. The use of sex-disaggregated biological materials and appropriately designed cellular models can help identify mechanisms that may otherwise remain undetected in conventional research approaches. Embedding sex and gender considerations throughout the research process, from experimental design to data interpretation, is therefore a critical step towards more representative and reproducible science. Strengthening sex- and gender-informed in vitro research can accelerate the development of targeted interventions and contribute to closing existing knowledge gaps in Alzheimer’s disease, ultimately supporting more effective and equitable brain health strategies.

Music is frequently used in laboratory animal research and has been reported to influence behaviour, cognition and physiology in rodents. However, the selection of auditory stimuli in these studies has largely been guided by prior reports and human preferences. In particular, Mozart's Sonata K.448 has become one of the most frequently used auditory stimuli without critically evaluating whether it is preferred or even perceived by rodents. To address this scientific gap, we developed a novel choice-based paradigm to investigate auditory preferences in C57BL/6J mice. This talk will outline how concerns regarding animal welfare and species-specific sensory perception motivated our work, explore why the Sonata K.448 became the predominant choice in rodent research and discuss whether its widespread use is scientifically justified. The findings from our preference studies highlight the need to critically question established practices in animal research and suggest that evidence-based refinement of auditory stimuli may improve animal welfare while helping to avoid unnecessary animal experiments.

Surgery in rodents is challenging, and specialized skills, training and experience are required to establish a reliable and reproducible surgical model. It requires knowledge of anatomy and physiology, and a broad understanding of good surgical practice, including asepsis, reduction of trauma, hemostasis, anesthesia, and analgesia. Yet, in preclinical rodent research, proper surgical training is often replaced by a chain of peer training where inexperienced staff members learn a surgical procedure from more experienced coworkers, who themselves were once trained by coworkers. This learning strategy is prone to propagation of procedural mistakes and faulty assumptions leading to unnecessary animal suffering, poor surgical outcomes, and, ultimately, unreliable research data.

Exemplified by the unpublished reality behind the optimization and refinement of a dual-catheter infusion/sampling model in mice, this presentation will demonstrate the limitations of the peer training strategy and show how reliable and reproducible experimental outcomes in rodent research are critically dependent on good surgical practice and proper aseptic technique. It will be shown how training, optimization, and meticulous attention to detail lead to improved animal welfare, substantial reductions in animal usage numbers, and more robust and reproducible research data.

Animal dummies or simulators and other simulation-based skills training offer valuable opportunities to teach and practice practical skills without using live animals. In this input we will present possible opportunities of application of animal dummies for training in research. We will explore how models can support the acquisition of technical skills and what the requirements are.

Examples from the skills lab will illustrate how animal dummies can be integrated into hands-on teaching, skills assessment and competency-based curricula. Participants will gain an overview of how simulation-based methods can be selected and implemented as part of a responsible and modern approach to animal training and education. The opportunities and limitations of these approaches will be discussed, including questions of realism, transfer to reality and learner acceptance.