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Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research further reduces its number of laboratory animals in line with the 3R principle
Scientists at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) are studying important mechanisms for the development of infectious diseases and how they can be treated or prevented. Some of the research questions can only be answered with the help of animal experiments. Therefore, the HZI is committed to the 3R principle with the aim of replacing animal experiments (Replace), reducing the number of laboratory animals (Reduce), and reducing the burden on laboratory animals (Refine). Dr. Julia Port, head of the junior research group “Laboratory of Transmission Immunology”, and Dr. Marina Greweling-Pils, head of the research group “Core Facility of Comparative Medicine” and Animal Welfare Officer at the HZI, explain in an interview to mark the World Day for Laboratory Animals 2025 why not all animal experiments can be replaced, why choosing the right animal model is crucial for reliable scientific results, and why animal experiments are increasingly being outsourced from Germany to other countries.
The interview is available on our website: https://www.helmholtz-hzi.de/en/media-center/newsroom/news-detail/the-animal-mod...
Mini organs, big impact: How organoids are revolutionizing infection research
In today's episode of “InFact – The HZI Podcast. Science that is contagious” Dr. Kristin Metzdorf, deputy head of the HZI department “Innovative Organoid Research”, talks about organoids as a promising tool for biomedical research, their diverse possibilities, but also their limitations. These organ-like cell structures are grown in the lab from stem cells and open up completely new possibilities for studying infectious diseases in human tissue. In the podcast, Kristin Metzdorf explains how organoids are produced in the lab, how they could replace animal testing in the future, and how they can contribute to the development of new, personalized therapies.
The latest episode of the HZI podcast is available here: https://infacthzi.podigee.io/28-mini-organs-big-impact-how-organoids-are-revolut...
Our experts on World Day for Laboratory Animals 2025:
- Prof. Josef Penninger, Scientific Director of the HZI and head of the department “Innovative Organoid Research”
Focus: Research strategy and vision of the HZI, handling of animal experiments, infection research with organoids
- Dr. Marina Greweling-Pils, head of the “Core Facility of Comparative Medicine” and Animal Welfare Officer at the HZI
Focus: Animal experiments and alternative methods at the HZI, animal welfare
- Prof. Luka Cicin-Sain, head of the department “Viral Immunology”
Focus: Vaccine development, animal models and alternative methods in vaccine research, immune system
- Dr. Kristin Metzdorf, deputy head of the department “Innovative Organoid Research”
Focus: Infection research with organoids, organoid cultivation
If you are interested in interviews with our experts, please send your request to presse@helmholtz-hzi.de and we will arrange an appointment as soon as possible.
Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research:
Scientists at the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) in Braunschweig and its other sites in Germany are engaged in the study of bacterial and viral infections and the body’s defence mechanisms. They have a profound expertise in natural compound research and its exploitation as a valuable source for novel anti-infectives. As member of the Helmholtz Association and the German Center for Infection Research (DZIF) the HZI performs translational research laying the ground for the development of new treatments and vaccines against infectious diseases. http://www.helmholtz-hzi.de/en
Contact:
Susanne Thiele, Spokesperson
susanne.thiele@helmholtz-hzi.de
Dr. Andreas Fischer, Editor
andreas.fischer@helmholtz-hzi.de
Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research
Press and Communications
Inhoffenstr. 7
D-38124 Braunschweig
Germany
Phone: +49 531 6181-1400; -1405
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