# NAT Database

The NAT (Non Animal Technologies) Database is a freely accessible, free of cost database containing various non-animal research methods that are being developed worldwide. These include, for example, modern in-vitro methods with human cells or in-silico methods (computer modelling).

## NAT Database

In order to avoid animal testing and promote animal-free research, the association Doctors Against Animal Experiments published the NAT database on animal-free research methods on 29 July 2020. It held 250 entries at the time. The database currently as of May 2024 contains almost 1,700 entries.
In order to close the gap between the enormous number of animal-free methods available and the fact that they are almost impossible to find, the association has created the bilingual NAT (Non-Animal-Technologies) database. The freely available database includes a wide variety of non-animal methods from all over the world, ranging from state-of-the-art methods based on human cells to complex computer models. The NAT database supports scientists in their search for animal-free methods for their respective research questions, but is also intended for politicians, representatives of authorities, journalists, and the interested public. The search mask allows a keyword search and also offers the possibility to filter by subject area, model, country, or date of publication. The entries contain a summary of the method along with related sources and information on the responsible researchers and institutes.

## History of development

The idea to develop the NAT database was born in 2020 because a platform that offered a comprehensive overview of modern animal-free technologies being developed worldwide simply didn't exist. On the one hand, DDAE is delighted with the uniqueness of our NAT database. On the other hand, it is a great disappointment that government authorities have not yet ensured that such a database is available to the scientific community. In order to abolish animal testing, it is essential that the great non-animal research methods that exist are also made available. Such an overview is invaluable for scientists working in this field, as it helps, for example, to find co-operation partners to establish animal-free methods. The database is equally important for authorities and decision-makers. In order to be able to reject applications for animal experiments, those responsible must be able to identify non-animal methods that can be used instead in a quick and targeted manner. So far, neither the federal government of Germany nor the EU has ensured that such a platform is made available.
At the end of 2020, the Federal Budget Committee made available €3 million, which was to be used, among other things, to create such a database. So far, however, this has not happened. Only the so-called Federal 3R Network has been set up, which is a kind of general information platform on the topic of 3Rs (refinement, reduction, and replacement of animal experiments). Since the launch of the NAT database, the association's scientific team, led by Dr. Tamara Zietek, has been working continuously to research and select new animal-free technologies in order to add new entries. The methods and projects that are to be entered into the database are first filtered out from a large number of publications based animal-free technologies. The organisation ensures that different biomedical disciplines are represented (e.g. oncology or toxicology), as well as different models (e.g. 3-dimensional cell models or computer-based methods). The association's science team writes a summary of the method. A crucial part of the database is the language it is written in: as easily as possible to understand, so that non-scientists are able to benefit from the database as well and understand the methods described. In addition, references, contact persons, and the associated institutes where the method was developed are entered as well. Since the NAT database is bilingual, all this has to be done in German and English. Before a new entry is added to the database, it has to pass a final quality check with regard to content and language.
The database found many supporters. For example, it was supported by the Berlin State Animal Welfare Commissioner with public funds. Those funds were to be used, amongst others, for the entry of animal-free methods published by the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM). The ECVAM is part of the European Commission and has published a total of 7 reports on non-animal models in biomedical research over the past 2 years. These contain thousands of animal-free procedures from various specialist areas such as neurodegenerative diseases, respiratory diseases, breast cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and autoimmune diseases. With funding from the state of Berlin and the support of external partners, hundreds of methods have been selected from reports and entered into the NAT database. The main aim of the association is to ensure that the NAT database reaches as many people as possible, especially scientists and young researchers. The NAT database has been included in the DBIS (Database Information System) and is therefore available to students and staff in over 340 university libraries.

## Awards

The NAT database has so far been honoured with 2 prizes: the international Lush Prize 2022 and the Animal Welfare Prize by the State of Lower Saxony also in 2022.