Universities announce advances from animal studies

Universities responsible for the UK’s most outstanding biomedical research have announced advances in medical science that have directly resulted from their research involving animals.

Research carried out at the globally-leading universities during 2015 has brought hope of new cancer treatments and identified a therapy to correct a genetic defect that affects children.

It has also helped to develop a medicine that could help children with spinal muscular atrophy, the childhood form of motor neurone disease.

Fresh insights

It has aided the development of a specialised implant to treat infections that occur when bone fractures cause the bone to penetrate the skin and brought fresh insights to eczema, serious kidney diseases and an inherited type of blindness.

Alternative approaches

Research from the universities – ranked as the top ten in the UK for life sciences in the latest UK Government assessment of research quality – has also led to alternatives to using animals.

These advances are helping to replace the use of animals, reduce the number that are needed and refine protocols to minimise the impact on the animals concerned.

We are extremely proud of our world-class life sciences, medical and veterinary research. The University has discovered causes of diseases including childhood development disorders and cancer. Our work has led to new diagnostic tests and treatments for people and animals. Animal studies, predominantly involving mice and zebrafish, are an important part of this research. These are only used where no alternative approaches are available and where the benefits are deemed to outweigh the potential costs to the animal. We are also working hard to develop new methods to reduce animal usage.
Professor Jonathan Seckl
Vice Principal Planning, Resources and Research Policy, University of Edinburgh

Annual figures

The ten universities have published online figures detailing the number of animals involved in their studies in 2015 as part of their commitment to be more open about research*. They are the Universities of Oxford, Edinburgh, Cambridge, Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham and Nottingham, UCL, Imperial College London and King’s College London.

Animal statistics by institution (2015)
University of Oxford	226,214
University of Edinburgh	212,695
UCL	202,554
University of Cambridge	181,080
King’s College London	175,296
University of Manchester	145,457
Imperial College London	101,179
University of Glasgow	49,082
University of Birmingham	47,657
University of Nottingham	31,689

New medicines

Advances in computer science and laboratory techniques are leading to new scientific methods that can cut the number of animals needed for research.

Yet studies involving animals remain essential for the development of new medicines and therapies and improving understanding of the body, leading researchers say.

Investigating disease

Most animal studies are focused on understanding different processes in the body and how they can go wrong, scientists say.

Knowledge gained can help to improve diagnosis of diseases. It can also reveal opportunities for new therapies for both medical and veterinary care.

Understanding the body

Research involving animals can help to answer a wide range of research questions that are not directly related to diseases.

These include exploring how genes determine physical characteristics or how brain functions develop.

Vital research

The universities concede that some studies will show that a line of research is not worth pursuing. Although this can be disappointing, scientists say the research is crucial as it enables them to focus on areas that are likely to yield positive results.

Regulation

Research involving animals is strictly regulated by law. Proposals for research projects involving animals are initially assessed by a university committee that includes scientists, experienced animal technicians and veterinary experts, as well as lay people with no specialist expertise.

Additional assessment and final approval is undertaken by the Home Office. Home Office Inspectors are involved in the ongoing monitoring of animal facilities and scientific studies.

Openness

All ten universities are signatories to the Concordat on Openness on Animal Research in the UK, a commitment to be more open about the use of animals in scientific, medical and veterinary research.

A total of 104 organisations have signed the concordat including UK universities, research funders and commercial research organisations.