Replacing, reducing and refining the use of animals in research – can we CRACK IT?

NC3Rs have launched the latest set of CRACK-IT Challenges to fund collaborations between industry, academics and SMEs.

Over the last 50 years the “3Rs” Рstanding for Replacement, Reduction and Refinement Рhas become established throughout the scientific community as a framework for more humane research. The 3Rs concept is a key element in the legislation that regulates the use of animals in experiments and as a result scientists are always asking whether there is an alternative non-animal model, what is the minimum number of animals required to conduct a meaningful experiment, and how can they minimise any suffering caused?

The National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) “CRACK-IT Challenges” aim to accelerate the availability of technologies which will deliver i) measurable 3Rs impacts, ii) new marketable products and iii) more efficient business processes.

They have recently launched the latest set of CRACK-IT Challenges:

Challenge 26: “DARTpaths”: Mapping developmental and reproductive toxicity (DART) genes and pathways for cross-species comparison of toxic compound effects (Two Phase Challenge Sponsored by Shell and Syngenta).

Challenge 27: “DoCE (Dosing for Controlled Exposure)”: Dosing strategies for characterising in vitro dose-responses with increased relevance for in vivo extrapolation. (Two Phase Challenge Sponsored by Unilever and Shell).

Challenge 28: “RespiraTox”: In silico model for predicting human respiratory irritation. (Single Phase Challenge Sponsored by Shell).

 

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Expertise needed to solve these Challenges includes, but is not limited to:

• Mathematical modelling
• Data handling
• In vitro biology
• Chemistry
• (Bio/chemo-) informatics
• Toxicology
• QSAR development and validation
• Statistics

The Challenge briefs describing the Challenges, deliverables, in-kind contributions from the Sponsors and budgets is available now on the CRACK IT website.

Each of the Two Phase Challenges offers up to £1 million funding and a research contract for up to three years. The Single Phase Challenge offers up to £100k funding and a research contract for up to one year.

 

Launch event

To find out more about the Challenges, meet the Sponsors and potential collaborators, and find out what makes a good application, you should attend the CRACK IT Challenges 2017 launch event on 7 September in central London. The launch event is free to attend but registration is essential. To register, please download and complete the registration form on the CRACK IT website. The deadline for registration is 1 September 2017.

 

About the competition

CRACK IT Challenges is a research competition to solve scientific and business problems identified by the bioscience sector. The Challenges are designed to reduce the reliance on animal models and/or improve animal welfare and lead to the development of marketable products. The CRACK IT Two Phase Challenges competition is run using the SBRI process which is supported by Innovate UK and Challenges are sponsored by companies who provide in-kind contributions such as data, validation and expertise.

Please contact crackitenquiries@nc3rs.org.uk if you would like to discuss this further.

Expertise needed to solve these Challenges includes, but is not limited to:

• Mathematical modelling
• Data handling
• In vitro biology
• Chemistry
• (Bio/chemo-) informatics
• Toxicology
• QSAR development and validation
• Statistics

The Challenge briefs describing the Challenges, deliverables, in-kind contributions from the Sponsors and budgets is available now on the CRACK IT website.

Each of the Two Phase Challenges offers up to £1 million funding and a research contract for up to three years. The Single Phase Challenge offers up to £100k funding and a research contract for up to one year.

 

Launch event

To find out more about the Challenges, meet the Sponsors and potential collaborators, and find out what makes a good application, you should attend the CRACK IT Challenges 2017 launch event on 7 September in central London. The launch event is free to attend but registration is essential. To register, please download and complete the registration form on the CRACK IT website. The deadline for registration is 1 September 2017.