Our PhDs on the road

Our PhD student Irem Duman (Pharmaceutical Sciences) attended the 2024 European Congress on Alternatives to Animal Testing at the University of Linz, Austria.

Report

I had the opportunity to attend the EUSAAT (European Society for Alternatives to Animal Testing) congress, which focused on the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement) in life sciences. This congress served as an excellent platform to discuss alternatives to animal testing, to be updated on the EU’s 3Rs policies and to explore ways to implement these principles in research.

In line with EUSAAT’s goals, my PhD research aims to reduce the use of animal in cancer cell migration studies. Traditional 2D cell culture methods often overlook migration mechanisms and the effects of fluid forces, leading to unreliable results in drug development. When these results are applied in animal studies, their efficacy is often lower than expected, necessitating a return to cell culture experiments. This cycle increases the number of animals used, resulting in unnecessary animal deaths. To address this challenge, our study focuses on developing a 3D bioengineered platform for monitoring cell migration that better mimics physiological conditions, ultimately reducing animal usage. The congress provided an opportunity to discuss our work and engage in conversations directly related to the principles of the 3Rs.

During the congress, I attended several informative talks, particularly on induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and efforts to reduce animal use by replacing foetal calf serum (FCS/FBS) and rethinking antibody origins. These discussions broadened my understanding of innovative approaches to minimising animal use across various research fields.

I presented my research in a poster session and received valuable feedback from experts in the field that will be crucial to our work and overcoming key challenges in developing our platform. I was honoured to win a poster prize and the Young Scientist Travel Award, which helped me connect with more attendees and promote our research.

I also networked with principal investigators (PIs), postdoctoral researchers, and fellow PhD candidates. These interactions enriched my academic experience and inspired new ideas for my ongoing research.

I am grateful for the support from the University of Vienna Doctoral School of Pharmaceutical, Nutritional, and Sport Sciences, which made this experience possible. Overall, my participation in the EUSAAT Congress was scientifically stimulating, provided recognition for my work and numerous opportunities for professional and academic growth. I am excited to apply the feedback I received into my experiments.

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