Lush Prize for Young Researchers 2015
Research Paper

Lush Prize for Young Researchers, 2015 – Research Paper11

Executive Summary

The Lush Prize is the largest yearly international award devoted to ending animal
testing and promoting the field of animal-free toxicology, as well as the developmentof alternative methods to animal testing.
Now in its fourth year, the total annual fund is £250,000. This year will see the LushPrize award a total of £1 million in scientific research and lobbying funding to date,since its groundbreaking launch in 2012. The prize awards individuals andorganisations across six categories; Science, Public Awareness, Lobbying, Training,
Young Researchers and finally, the 'Black Box' prize, where in any one year the total£250,000 may be awarded for a key breakthrough in human toxicity pathways
research using 21st-century techniques1.
The purpose of this research paper is to focus on one of these categories - theYoung Researcher (YR) Award2, which is open to young scientists (up to 35 years
old at the time of application) with a desire to fund the next stage of a career
focussed on an animal-test free future.
As the aim of Lush Prize research papers is to build on information found in previous
years, it is recommended that the Young Researcher papers from 2012-2014 arealso reviewed.
The YR award offers a yearly total of £50,000 to several researchers (usually four orfive candidates) for outstanding contributions to the field of research anddevelopment of non-animal methods in safety (toxicity) testing. The first three yearsof the YR award have seen a total of £150,000 of international research funding
allocated to thirteen early career scientists from Austria, Germany, Italy, Portugal,
UK, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, the USA and Brazil.
This research paper includes the following:
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Some brief background on the 3Rs and alternatives to animal testing
Review and updates on the Lush Prize Young Researcher Award
The Young Researcher (YR) Outreach project and activity to datePrize winning Young Researcher projects so far
How does winning the Lush Prize help young researchers?
Facts and figures
YR outreach for 2014 - the Lush Prize conference and future activity
As in previous research papers, a comprehensive reference section (updated
for 2015) is provided for further information

2
Some brief background: the 3Rs and alternatives to animal
testing
1 Langley, G. (2015) The LUSH Black Box Prize and the skin sensitisation adverse outcome
pathway2 http://www.lushprize.org/awards/young-researcher-prize/

Lush Prize for Young Researchers, 2015 – Research Paper

2The term ‘alternatives’ is broadly used to describe the 3Rs methods, historicallydefined by Russell and Burch3 and widely used as follows;• Refinement: minimise suffering and distress to animals• Reduction: minimise the number of animals used
• Replacement: avoid and/or replace the use of living animals
The Lush Prize continues its focus on only the final ‘R’ (replacement) being a
genuine alternative to animal testing. No other prize is devoted solely to the '1R' ofreplacements to toxicity tests using animals. Furthermore, all research projects must
be entirely animal free (rather than only 'live' animal free) to be considered for the
prize. Lush Prize receives nominations for projects which use animal
tissues/cells/sera and these are considered ineligible.
The remaining '2Rs' (reduction and refinement) still involve animals and in many
situations are 'as good as it gets'. For example, a '2Rs' at best approach is applied tothe use of non-human primates in laboratories and relatively little funding has been
devoted to their genuine replacement to date. To illustrate, almost 4,500 monkeys
were imported from Mauritius during 2014 for use in research by several European
countries considered the worst offenders for the numbers of animals they use inexperiments (France, Germany, Spain and the UK). The number of monkeys
imported represents a staggering 33% increase on the previous year4. Almost 3,500
monkeys are used in toxicity tests and a further 2,500 in other types of researcheach year in the EU alone.
Interpretation of the 3Rs varies widely in the scientific industry (even 'replacing'monkeys with other species claimed to be less sentient is also considered as being
in the spirit of the 3Rs by some)5. There is also increasing concern at how somespecies are now considered as 'alternatives', for example zebrafish and evengenetically modified mice, the use of which grows at an alarming rate each year6.
The use of terms such as ‘alternatives’ or ‘replacement’ methods remain necessary,
but are not intended by Lush Prize to suggest that animal testing is the ‘gold
standard’, especially when the scientific industry itself confirms that, aside from thesuffering involved, animal tests do not reliably predict human responses. The mostappropriate term may therefore be 'non-animal methods'.
It is also very important to note that, from a regulatory perspective, not all animal
tests 'need' replacing and can simply end or be prevented. For example, after an
extensive campaign to modify drug testing guidelines issued by the EMA (European
Medicines Agency), a single dose toxicity test on animals was deleted, after it wasagreed that such data could be obtained from other tests.7 Similarly, the ECEAE(European Coalition to End Animal Experiments) estimates that its efforts on the EU
chemicals testing programme REACH (Registration Evaluation and Authorisation of
3
4
5
6
7

Russell, W. and Burch. R (1959) The Principles of Humane Experimental TechniqueEurope shown to be main importer of monkeys from Mauritius. BUAV 09/04/2015
Silverman, J. (2008) Sentience and sensation .Lab Animal. 37(10) 465-467
Home Office Statistics on Lab Animal Used Released FRAME (07/2014)
EMA (2010)Questions and answers on the withdrawal of the 'Note for guidance on singe dose
toxicity'

Lush Prize for Young Researchers, 2015 – Research Paper

3Chemicals) have saved 18,000 animals to date, by investing in toxicologicalexpertise to systematically comment on animal testing proposals to provide
alternative evidence and prevent the tests going ahead8.

3

The Young Researcher (YR) Outreach Project

The objectives of the Lush Prize YR outreach project are:1
2
3

Communicating individually with potential applicantsInterviewing previous winners
Identifying effective new communication channels for the Young ResearcherAward

To achieve the above objectives, ongoing project activities include:•

Making new contacts in academia and industry at institutions across Europe,
the USA, South America and Asia (for example research supervisors,
students and teams in toxicology and pharmacology schools of universities)
to raise awareness of the YR award•

Another aim of the YR outreach project is to maintain and monitor year-roundawareness of the Young Researcher Awards, by effective communication
with stakeholders, academia, industry experts, previous prize winners andsocial media (for example LinkedIn and Facebook)•

Engaging in dialogue and establishing relationships with such stakeholders is
aimed at maximising the number of Young Researcher nominations received
during each yearly prize cycle

3.1

Methodology of the YR Outreach project

To enable outreach to new contacts, research teams and potential young researcher
nominees, extensive searches continue to be made for toxicology and pharmacology
schools and faculties at academic institutions across Europe, the USA, SouthAmerica and Asia. Where possible, specific individuals have been contacted byemail, but where no contact name is publicly available email addresses and website
enquiry forms of schools and colleges have been used.
Using a systematic 'drill down' approach, the YR outreach project has moved fromone level of detail to the next to continue to identify relevant 'cold' contacts:••••

List of universities by country
Search of list of faculties by university
Search of medical schools, pharmacology and toxicology departments
Search of research teams, heads of department, supervisors and individual
early career scientists

8 ECEAE claims 18,000 animals saved through REACH testing proposals process

Lush Prize for Young Researchers, 2015 – Research Paper

4•

Extensive internet searches have also been made, as well as set up of web
alerts on relevant key phrases, for example on 'young scientists'; 'young
researchers'; 'early career research'; 'replacement of animal models' and'alternatives to animal testing', as well as review and research of potential
contacts at all relevant conferences and forums

This is an ongoing, long-term outreach project. Therefore, to provide some initial
focus, institutions or faculties have been searched for which already appear to haveinitiatives in the replacement of animals in research or (for example) teachingmodules on alternatives to the use of animals, as well as known experts andcontacts within the field (who might be termed 'warm' contacts).
Some very helpful resources can also be used. For example Humane Research
Australia, a 2014 Lush Prize winner, has contacted all national universities andcompiled a database of their policies on animal research, to aid potential students
and other scientific researchers9, based on the following three questions:•••

Does your institution have a Conscientious Objection Policy?
Does it offer any incentive (such as financial awards or funding grants) for
students to replace animals in research?
Are there any other ways in which you demonstrate commitment to thereplacement and reduction of animal use?

Any projects which have already received any grants or other research prize funding
are also given due consideration, but the YR outreach project is mindful of sourcing
and prioritising new initiatives which are in need of funding.
However, outreach also continues more widely to promote the YRA to as many
students, research supervisors and teams as possible.

4

Prize winning Young Researcher Award (YRA) projects so far

Winners of the YR Award to date span a broad range of research interests which
include the following:
1 Pioneering in-vitro immunotoxicology tests in the detection of protein andchemical sensitizers in the skin to replace the use of animals in thecosmetic, food and pharmaceutical industries. This award winning project
has since continued development within industry10
2 International awareness and training initiatives to replace animal use ineducational research, as well as encouraging conscientious objection to
the use of animals and replacement with humane alternative teaching andresearch techniques with the establishment of a new '1R' institute in
Brazil11 in March this year
9
Want to know what your University's position in on animal experimentation? Humane
Research Australia
10 SenzaGen AB (2015) -GARD (Genomic Allergen Rapid Detection) Assay
11 http://www.instituto1r.org/

Lush Prize for Young Researchers, 2015 – Research Paper5

3 3D cell culture techniques to replace animals used in neurotoxicity andcytotoxicity testing
4 Biomonitoring - the measurement and analysis of biomarkers directly inhuman volunteers instead of animals, across 17 countries, to test for levelsof cosmetic substances and environmental chemicals found in samples of
hair, blood and urine, such as parabens and trace metals
5 Research on alternative test systems using human neuronal cells, for theassessment of the developmental neurotoxicology (DNT) profile ofthousands of chemicals, to replace high numbers of animals, combinedwith 'omics' technologies to identify new adverse outcome pathways(AOPs)
6 EU-wide research initiatives to promote human placental tissue within industry
as a vital resource in the replacement of animals in toxicity testing, which
has been vastly underused to date
7 Pioneering research on human retinal cells in-vitro to investigate treatments
for blindness
As is the case across all Lush Prize categories, selecting the winning Young
Researcher projects remains a tough decision, with a high calibre of nominations.
In addition to the winning nominations, many excellent projects were shortlisted in2014, including••

5

Investigation into the addictive properties of alcohol and nicotine using humanclinical and epidemiological studies and large scale survey data analysis,
instead of animals
Validation of exciting, new in-vitro replacement methods to advance the studyof hepatic (liver) toxicity and metabolism, without the use of animals

How does winning the Lush Prize help Young Researchers?

As part of the young researcher outreach project and to inform this paper for the2015 prize cycle, previous YR winners were asked to provide feedback on how
winning the prize has helped or continues to help in their research.
A key point made was that the prize provides opportunities to communicate researchin non-animal methods to wider audiences (both scientific and non-scientific) andmake them aware of both the facts about animal testing and initiatives to replace it.
The misuse and unnecessary use of animals in toxicity testing is still highlighted as
an ongoing problem. It was also felt by winners generally that the message needs tobe continually communicated that development of 21st Century, non-animal
technologies in toxicity testing will not only continue to ensure human safety, but will

Lush Prize for Young Researchers, 2015 – Research Paper6be superior to the use of animals in doing so. Concerns were raised that public
opinion is well informed on the ethical issues of animal testing, but needs to beprovided with more information from a scientific perspective, on how the results ofanimal tests are irrelevant to the answers sought in predicting human toxicity. This isparticularly relevant in countries where alternatives are less discussed and are still
considered inadequate by some, when compared to animal testing.
Several winners outlined how barriers still exist in getting tests validated for use, as
well as the ongoing issue of how long it can take to achieve validation and getting
regulators to understand and approve the applicability of specific methods, even
where data clearly demonstrates their validity.
It is also important to reflect feedback in how new, non-animal, methods must be
robust and stand up to their claims in exactly what prediction capabilities they offer
and not promise 'too much too soon', as this may have a damaging effect on the
reputation of research in this field. Another key issue is still a much needed shift inemphasis from the '3R's to the '1R' of replacement. This remains the key objective of
the Lush Prize and the reason for its creation.
Winners also identified how the Lush Prize has justified the importance of theirresearch to replace animals in toxicity testing to peers and how the positive effects
and influence remain long after the prize has been won. Even display of the award
itself has stimulated questions and discussion on the issue.
Attitudes towards replacement of animals in research are changing at anencouraging rate. However, animal testing still remains the mainstream preference,as noted by most winners, based on convention or tradition with, in some cases, anentrenched view of animal testing as the 'gold standard' (for example, evenrequesting that successful, human-based models be tested in animals). In manyother cases, however, animal testing is still used, not because it is necessarily felt tobe the best, rather that it has ' always been done like this', paired with a reluctance toinnovate and act as a driving force in demonstrating how modern non-animal
methods and the data they provide are superior. Instead, a reactive rather thanproactive attitude exists, with a willingness to use such methods only once they have(finally) been approved by regulators. This large scale resistance to replacing
outmoded and unreliable animal tests could not be further in contrast to the missionof 'research and innovation' within science.
This year, a paper by Lush Prize and published in ATLA (Alternatives to Laboratory
Animals) entitled 'The Cost of Standing Strong for Replacement' collated interview
feedback and opinion from early YR winners and asked “to what extent does
maintaining a stand against the use of animals in experiments harm the career of ayoung researcher today?”12.
However, while attitudes to animal testing in mainstream toxicology remain an issue,
there was also the positive view from 2014 winners that with each new generation ofresearchers, attitudes and awareness of non-animal methods can only improve. On
this note, the idea of Lush Prize workshops and mentor programmes being
12 Brown, K. (2015) The Cost of Standing Strong for Replacement . ATLA 43; 5-7.

Lush Prize for Young Researchers, 2015 – Research Paper

7organised to allow early career scientists to network with senior level experts in
replacement methods was also suggested.
Further feedback highlighted the environmental burden of animal testing and how
this reinforced the argument for replacement with more viable, high throughput 21stCentury techniques.
Another very helpful and critical point raised by several YR winners is the importanceof seeing the potential of resources and techniques which are already available, but
remain underused. These are not new 'alternatives' as such but still mean that theuse of animals is prevented. Examples include opportunities to conduct large scale,volunteer-based clinical or epidemiological studies, or the use of readily available
human samples, such as unwanted tissue that would otherwise be discarded after
surgery, or consent to use placental tissue following childbirth. The use of humantissue has been highlighted as a clearly viable replacement to animal tests and insome cases is only limited by practical factors such as timing of staff and availability
in operating theatres, to ensure the tissue is extracted, prepared and stored
appropriately for use13.
It was also felt that receiving a Young Researcher Award, while not a sum that would
fund any long term large scale projects, acts as an excellent starting point for
research, boosting self-confidence and, most critically, encouraging further
development. Winning the award has also broadened networking opportunities, withwinners being contacted by new scientific peers.
Other winning projects have provided the foundation for continuing research within
industry, following on from academic research, enabling further opportunities andoutreach within the scientific community into replacement of animal tests with moreaccurate, human relevant techniques.
Most winners are also driven by their personal interest in replacing animals in
research and remain in this field after receiving the prize, with subsequent
publications on their work continuing to reach a wider audience14.

6

Facts and figures

Feedback from YR winners emphasising how conventional attitudes ensure thecontinued, large scale use of animals in toxicity testing is also reflected in statistics
on animal experiments.
The most recently published EU-wide figures from the Commission (for 2011) are
now somewhat out of date. Instead, national figures available for 2013 for several
countries are shown below. Perhaps the most directly relevant to the YR Award are
the numbers used in 'training and education'. However, the broader categories are
13 Sanger, G., Knowles, C. et al. (2013) Translational neuropharmacology: the use of human isolated
gastrointestinal tissues Br J Pharmacol. 168(1):28-43
14 Mathiesen, L. et al (2014) Modelling of human transplacental transport as performed in
Copenhagen, Denmark Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 115(1):93-100

Lush Prize for Young Researchers, 2015 – Research Paper

8also critical in showing the overall picture of the number of animals used not just in
toxicity testing, but basic or 'fundamental' research.

Country

Total number ofanimals used(2013)

Total number ofanimals used in
toxicity testing*Total number ofanimals used intraining /further
education/higher
education

Germany15

2,997,152

154,01164,603Austria16

208,559

63,9183,795

Netherlands17

526,593

49,33521,92618590,245

20,830 **6,660

4,017,758

366,565

1,910

891,161??????

??????

Switzerland
19

UK

20

USA *********

does not include animals killed for their cells/tissues
described as 'protection of humans, animals and the environment'
US statistics do not include mice, rats, fish or birds, so this is not the true
figure and is a vast underestimate of the genuine number of animals used,which is estimated to be 18-20 times more21

7

Lush Prize and Young Researcher Outreach in 2014

7.1

The 2014 Lush Prize conference

The second Lush Prize conference, held in November 2014, was a success andreceived widespread positive feedback. The overall theme of the day asked 'Is 1R
the new 3Rs?' and a variety of sessions from international representatives focussed
on the scientific, campaigning and welfare aspects of replacing and ending animal
testing.
Keynote speakers22 were invited to present on a variety of topics, including the utilityof animal tests to date and available replacement methods, as well as the promise
15 http://www.bmel.de/SharedDocs/Downloads/Tier/Tierschutz/2013TierversuchszahlenGesamt.pdf?__blob=publicationFile16
http://wissenschaft.bmwfw.gv.at/fileadmin/user_upload/Studien_und_Berichte/Tierversuchsst
atistik_2013.pdf
17 http://www.rijksoverheid.nl/documenten-en-publicaties/jaarverslagen/2014/11/19/zo-doende2013.html
18 http://tv-statistik.ch/de/statistik/index.php#a1
19 Statistics of scientific procedures on living animals, Great Britain 2013[Home Office]20 https://speakingofresearch.files.wordpress.com/2008/03/usda-animal-research-use-2011-13.pdf
21 USA: Experimental Animal Numbers
http://www.altex.ch/resources/altex_2015_1_071_076_News11.pdf
22 The 2014 Lush Prize Conference Agenda

Lush Prize for Young Researchers, 2015 – Research Paper

9and challenges of the biotechnology and bioinformatics revolution; new approaches
and alternatives to animal tests in addressing the challenge of environmental
exposures to chemicals and adverse health outcomes in reproduction,neurobehavioral, metabolic diseases and immunology as well as presentations on
the way forward in implementing the 3Rs (with specific emphasis on replacement)
into research, regulatory practice and academic education.
During the conference, a number of breakout sessions were held to allow attendees
to hear from guest speakers and winners of the Young Researcher, Science,
Training and Lobbying awards to provide background to their research and ongoing
efforts in replacement. These included the YR projects summarised earlier, as wellas pioneering non-animal initiatives in lung and inhalation toxicity methods andchemical risk assessment using QSAR (quantitative structure activity relationships)
to replace animal use and finally, presentation sessions from award-winning animal
rights campaigners and lobbyists from Africa, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand.
The audience was also invited to put questions to our expert panel and interviews
were held with keynote speakers and winners throughout the day. As in previous
years, the conference was followed in the evening by a formal awards ceremony.
Following the success of the 2014 conference, the Lush Prize Team is organising
this year's conference for the end of the year with a similar focus, to again engage
with international experts, stimulate discussion on the scientific and ethicalimperatives to replacing animal testing and bring the Lush Prize to an ever wider
audience.

8
Lush Prize and Young Researcher outreach during 2014 andfuture activity
The Lush Prize team attended and exhibited at several conferences during 2014. In
August, the 9th World Congress on Alternatives and Animal use in the life sciences
was held in Prague23. Lush Prize attended as an exhibitor and presented a Poster,
networking with a number of experts, potential future nominees and previous
prizewinners24.
One of the WC9 sessions of particular relevance to the YR project included theYoung Scientists Travel Award Short Presentations. The WC9 (sponsored in a joint
venture by the Alternative Congress Trust Germany and the German Foundation
SET) provided 41 travel grants to students and young scientists whose abstracts
were chosen for either oral or poster presentation. Oral presentations included
updates on advances in multi-organ chip methods to replace animals in the testing of
substances, 3D cell systems for investigating lung inflammation and developmental
neurotoxicity (DNT), in-vitro skin corrosion testing using reconstructed humanepidermis (RHE) and in-vitro bone fracture healing models using human cells to
replace painful tests in rats.

23 http://www.wc9prague.org/
24 http://www.lushprize.org/wc9/

Lush Prize for Young Researchers, 2015 – Research Paper

10In November, Lush Prize also sponsored and exhibited at the very successful
second 'Animal Replacement Science' conference in London, organised by the Dr
Hadwen Trust (DHT). Many attendees were interested to find out about the Prizeand potential YR nominees also visited the stand to discuss how they could apply.
In May this year, Lush Prize also attended the International Conference of
Alternatives to Animal Experimentation (ICAAE) hosted by The Portuguese Societyfor Humane Education SPEdH25 in Lisbon.
In preparation for the launch of this year's prize nominations, contact has been madewith academic institutions, toxicology departments and research teams to raiseawareness of the Young Researcher Award. Outreach continues via mailouts andsocial media (for example to various experts in replacement of animal testing as wellas numerous toxicology and other scientific forums on LinkedIn) to maintainmomentum via alerts, regular blog postings and the countdown until nominations
close on July 24th 2015.
In September this year, Lush Prize will be busy at two further conferences as part of
the Young Researcher outreach project. The first is EUROTOX 2015 – the 51stCongress of the European Societies of Toxicology26. EUROTOX incorporates anumber of national societies of toxicology across Europe, with approximately 7,000
members. EUROTOX also has more than 200 individual members from 50 countries.
It therefore represents a major network of communication across the toxicologicalindustry. The theme of this year's conference is 'Bridging Sciences for Safety' with,among other stated objectives, acting as a stage for 'opening minds for new
concepts and paradigms in Toxicology'. Of particular interest at EUROTOX 2015 willbe the CECs (Continuing Education Courses), which are well attended by young
scientists. Courses on the '3Rs in Toxicology' will also be attended by Lush Prize to
see what information is on offer, as well as other Young Scientist network events
during the conference.
Lush Prize will also attend the 16th Congress hosted by the European Society for
Alternatives to Animal Testing (EUSAAT) in Linz 27. A number of very valuablesessions will be held in Linz, including a free communications session on Young
Scientists which Lush Prize will attend and present at. EUSAAT 2015 will also hold
another ‘Practical Training Course on Alternative Methods’28, which will be focusing
on established in-vitro methods for assessing the eye irritation/corrosion hazard
potential of chemicals and finished products. The two day intensive training course isfree of charge and open to all participants of the congress but “especially addressing
students and young scientists, interested in gaining knowledge and practicalexperience on advanced non-animal methods for toxicology testing”. The regulatory
acceptance of in-vitro assays will be discussed and the practical part of the course
will be supervised by experienced scientists.

25 http://www.spedh.com/
26 http://www.eurotox2015.com/
27 http://www.eusaat.org/
28 http://eusaat-congress.eu/index.php/congress/2015/2015-practical-training-course

Lush Prize for Young Researchers, 2015 – Research Paper119Conclusion

Lush Prize will continue its Young Researcher outreach well into the 2015 prize
cycle. Further YR activity, which is anticipated to extend into the 2016 prize cycle
and beyond includes targeted outreach to student unions and related contacts atuniversities across Europe and worldwide, for example to request Lush Prize
information to be included in 'freshers week' packs for new science students.

10

Further references

10.1 Alternatives Research and Development
http://www.ardf-online.org
The mission of the Alternatives Research and Development Foundation is to fundand promote the development, validation and adoption of non-animal methods inbiomedical research, product testing and education.
10.2 AltTox
http://www.alttox.org/
AltTox.org is a website dedicated to advancing non-animal methods of toxicity
testing through online discussion and information exchange.
10.3 Animal Aid
http://www.animalaid.org.uk
Animal Aid is the UK's largest animal rights group and one of the longest establishedin the world, campaigning peacefully against all forms of animal abuse andpromoting a cruelty-free lifestyle. Animal Aid investigates and exposes animal
cruelty, and the evidence found is often used by the media, bringing these issues topublic attention. Animal Aid continues its very successful 'Victims of Charity'
campaign to raise public awareness of medical research charities which continue tofund or conduct animal testing (www.victimsofcharity.org)
10.4 Asterand (UK and USA)
http://www.asterand.com
Asterand is the leading global provider of high quality, well characterised humantissue and human tissue-based research solutions to drug discovery scientists. Their
mission is to provide human-based solutions to accelerate the identification andvalidation of drug targets and enhance the selection of drug candidates with anincreased likelihood of clinical success.
10.5 Biopta (UK)
http://www.biopta.com
Biopta is the leading company focussed on the use of fresh functional human tissues
in drug development. Based in Glasgow, UK, and Maryland, USA, the Biopta Grouphas been providing contract research services to the pharmaceutical industry since
2002 and has established itself as the world leader in the use of fresh functional
human tissues to improve prediction of drug activity prior to clinical trials.
10.6 Björn Ekwall Memorial Foundation
http://www.bemf.eu/
Lush Prize for Young Researchers, 2015 – Research Paper

12The Scandinavian Society for Cell Toxicology (SSCT) established the Björn
Ekwall Memorial Foundation in 2001. The main goal of the BEMF is to honour the
memory of Dr Björn Ekwall by giving a reward to the scientists who havesubstantially contributed to the field of cell toxicology, e.g. by developing new in vitro
tests, or via mechanistic or validation studies.
10.7 British Toxicology Society
http://www.thebts.org/
The BTS is a learned society for toxicologists in the UK and represents the interestsof approximately 1,000 members.
10.8 Cruelty Free international (formerly BUAV)
http://www.crueltyfreeinternational.org/
Cruelty Free International is the global campaign to end animal testing for cosmetics,
calling on governments and regulators around the world to introduce a ban on thetesting of animals for cosmetic products and ingredients. Also acts as secretariat tothe ECEAE (European Coalition to End Animal Experiments).
10.9 DAAE (Doctors Against Animal Experiments)
http://www.aerzte-gegen-tierversuche.de
DAAE, based in Germany, is a charitable organisation of several hundred doctors
and scientists who work in the medical field. DAAE supports the immediate abolitionof all animal experiments on ethical and scientific grounds. In order to make the crueland unscientific nature of animal experiments public, they provide scientifically based
information on animal experiments both for doctors and scientists, as well as for thegeneral public.
10.10 Dr Hadwen Trust for Humane Research
http://www.drhadwentrust.org
The Dr Hadwen Trust for Humane Research (DHT) is the UK’s leading medical
research charity that funds and promotes the development of techniques andprocedures to replace the use of animals in biomedical research and testing.
10.11 European Consensus Platform for Alternatives (ECOPA)
http://www.ecopa.eu
ECOPA is a consensus between animal welfare, industry, academia andgovernmental institutions in various countries as an efficient way to stimulate
research into alternatives to animal experiments and enforce the acceptance ofalternatives in experimental practice.
10.12 European Centre for Ecotoxicology and Toxicology of Chemicals
http://www.ecetoc.org/
ECETOC is Europe’s leading industry association for developing and promoting top
quality science in human and environmental risk assessment of chemicals.
10.13 EURL-ECVAM (The European Union Reference Laboratory for
Alternatives to Animal Testing)
http://ihcp.jrc.ec.europa.eu/our_labs/eurl-ecvam

Lush Prize for Young Researchers, 2015 – Research Paper

13

EURL-ECVAM was established in 2011, due to the increasing need for new methods
to be developed and proposed for validation in the European Union.
10.14 EUROECOTOX
http://www.euroecotox.eu/
Euroecotox is a European Network established to promote the integration ofEuropean activities on the replacement and reduction of animal experiments inecotoxicology.
10.15 The European Partnership for Alternative Approaches to Animal Testing(EPAA)
http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/epaa/index_en.htm
A voluntary collaboration between the European Commission, European tradeassociations, and companies from seven industry sectors. The partners arecommitted to pooling knowledge and resources to accelerate the development,
validation and acceptance of alternative approaches to further the replacement,
reduction and refinement (3Rs) of animal use in regulatory testing.
10.16 FICAM (The Finnish Centre for Alternative Methods)
http://www.ficam.fi
FICAM is the centre of expertise for alternative methods to animal experimentation in
Finland. FICAM develops and validates human-cell-based tissue/organ models,shares information on alternative methods, educates experts, and acts as theFinnish reference laboratory for EURL-ECVAM (European Union Reference
Laboratory for Alternatives to Animal Testing).
10.17 Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments (FRAME)
www.frame.org.uk
The ultimate aim of FRAME is the elimination of the need to use laboratory animals
in any kind of medical or scientific procedures. FRAME is dedicated to thedevelopment of new and valid methods that will replace the need for laboratory
animals in medical and scientific research, education, and testing.
10.18 HemiBio
http://www.hemibio.eu/
HemiBio is one of six projects funded under the SEURAT programme. The aim of
HeMiBio is to generate a liver-simulating device (Hepatic Microfluidic Bioreactor)
mimicking the structure and function of the human liver. Hemibio states that there isa great need for suitable human cells to be used in toxicity testing, due to the often
poor concordance between animal models and toxic effects in humans. The project
was set up in 2011 as part of the drive to find suitable non-animal methods to meetthe requirements of the (then) forthcoming marketing ban on animal tested
cosmetics. HemiBio also plans a series of education and training opportunities foryoung scientists. Workshops and courses cover topics such as cell biology, genetic
engineering of stem cells and 2D or 3D-culture devices. HemiBio also promotes job
and study opportunities as well as events including Summer and Winter Schools foryoung scientists
10.19 The Humane Research Trust (UK)www.humaneresearch.org.uk

Lush Prize for Young Researchers, 2015 – Research Paper

14The Humane Research Trust is a registered charity dedicated to medical researchwithout animals. The Trust raises the necessary finance to fund and promotepioneering medical research into human disease without the use of animals or
animal tissue. Their aim is to eliminate the need for animals in human medical
research. The Humane Research Trust works with scientists, funding a wide rangeof research at a number of UK hospitals and universities. The Trust also funds
lectureships and studentships, which help to spread the message that humane
research is the cost effective way to promote human health, quickly and with a clear
conscience.
10.20 Humane Society International (HSI)
http://www.hsi.org/
HSI is one of the only international animal protection organizations in the world
working to protect all animals - including animals in laboratories, farm animals,
companion animals, and wildlife. HSI has recently seen huge success in Asia with its
Be Cruelty Free campaign and engagement with stakeholders in China and Korea tobring an end to animal testing and promote use of non-animal methods.
10.21 The International Foundation for Ethical Research (IFER)
http://www.ifer.org
IFER supports the development, validation and implementation of innovative
scientific methodologies that advance science and replace the use of animals in
research, testing and education.
10.22 INTERNICHE (International Network for Humane Education)
http://www.interniche.org
The aim of INTERNICHE is to achieve high quality, fully humane education andtraining in medicine, veterinary medicine and biological science. They support
progressive science teaching and the replacement of animal experiments by working
with teachers to introduce alternatives and with students to support freedom of
conscience.
10.23 Institute for In Vitro Sciences
http://www.iivs.org/
The Institute for In Vitro Sciences, Inc. is a non-profit research and testing laboratory
dedicated to the advancement of in vitro (non-animal) methods worldwide.
10.24 In Vitro Jobs
http://www.invitrojobs.com/
Many researchers have a strong interest in animal-free research, but find information
on institutions and research groups who use animal-free methods hard to come by.
InVitro Jobs was set up by People for Animal Rights (Menschen für Tierrechte Bundesverband der Tierversuchsgegner) in Germany. The aim is to enable
researchers to access animal-free research easily. The site includes an up-to-date
list of research groups active in the development of animal-free techniques and, job
vacancies. The site also aims to provide students with the opportunities to contact
research groups to obtain information for their studies and to promote co-operation,
networking and the exchange of ideas between researchers.
10.25 1R Institute Brazil

Lush Prize for Young Researchers, 2015 – Research Paper15http://www.instituto1r.org/
The 1R institute has been newly established in Brazil in March 2015. The purpose of
the Institute is to encourage discussion and promotion of the development ofmethods to replace the use of animals in teaching activities, research and testingand production of biological products.
10.26 John Hopkins University Centre for Alternatives to Animal Testing(CAAT)
http://caat.jhsph.edu/
CAAT believes the best science is humane science. Their programs seek to provide
a better, safer, more humane future for people and animals.
10.27 Kirkstall Ltd
http://kirkstall.org/
Kirkstall is a UK-based biotech company founded in 2006, with an exclusive worldwide licence to patented cell culture technology (Quasi-Vivo®) from the University of
Pisa. The technology is the outcome of over 10 years of research by aninterdisciplinary research team in Pisa. Kirkstall has developed this research into acommercially available inter-connected cell culture system, which can be set up sothat it mimics the human metabolism, resulting in high quality, rather than just highthroughput screening.
Kirkstall is continuing the development of a range of products, both instruments andconsumables, for cell culture which will have applications in safety and toxicity
screening as well as in stem cell research and tissue engineering.
10.28 Lord Dowding Fund for Humane Research (LDF)
http://www.ldf.org.uk
The objectives of the LDF are to support, sponsor, and fund better methods ofscientific and medical research for testing products and curing disease, which
replace the use of animals and fund areas of non-animal fundamental researchwhich lead to the adoption of non-animal research methodology.
10.29 Medical Advances Without Animals Trust (MAWA)
http://mawa-trust.org.au/
MAWA is a registered charity which aims to advance medical science to improve
human health and therapeutic outcomes without using animals or animal products.
The Trust provides “research and equipment grants, fellowships, scholarships,
bursaries and sponsorships to scientists and scholars throughout Australia in acompetitive award process, and funds a range of other initiatives to further MAWA’s
goals
10.30 The Marchig Animal Welfare Trust
http://www.marchigtrust.org
Based in Scotland, the Marchig Animal Welfare Trust is a charity which focuses on
all areas of animal protection from cruelty and abuse. Established in 1989 by
Madame Jeanne Marchig of Geneva, because of her deep concern for nature andanimals, the trust awards grants to a wide variety of projects including "promoting
alternative methods to animal experimentation and their practical implementation”.
10.31 National Anti-Vivisection Society (NAVS)Lush Prize for Young Researchers, 2015 – Research Paper16http://www.navs.org.uk
The National Anti-Vivisection Society, founded in 1875, is the world’s first body tochallenge the use of animals in research and continues to lead the campaign today.
NAVS has spearheaded the adoption of advanced, non-animal methods; exposedlaboratory animal suffering and breaches of regulations with undercoverinvestigations; funded non-animal scientific and medical research; educated public
and media about the flaws of animal research and lobbied government in support of
the replacement of animals in research with advanced methods. The NAVS group is
one of four NGOs working to end the suffering of animals: the National AntiVivisection Society; Animal Defenders International; the Lord Dowding Fund for
Humane Research; and the Animal+World Show.
10.32 The National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction ofAnimals in Research (NC3Rs)
http://www.nc3rs.org.uk/
The National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction ofAnimals in Research (NC3Rs) is a scientific organisation, tasked by the Government
with supporting the UK science base through the application of the 3Rs. The NC3Rs
is the UK's largest funder of 3Rs research. NC3Rs is also behind www.crackit.org.uk
a programme designed to replace, reduce and refine (the 3Rs) the use of animals in
research. It includes a funding competition for research and development to solve
3Rs challenges identified with sponsors from the industrial and academic sectors,
and a technology partnering hub to accelerate the sharing, validation and uptake ofpotential 3Rs methods.
10.33 The Netherlands Knowledge Centre on Alternatives to Animal Use(NKCA)
http://www.nkca.nl/
NKCA promotes the application of the 3Rs in the Netherlands. The Centre is acollaboration between the RIVM (National Institute for Public Health) and the
University of Utrecht since 2010 and offers ‘animal testing alternatives’ modules aspart of postgraduate training for professionals. NKCA also advises teachers on the
animal-free testing models available for secondary schools, and recommends
animal-testing alternatives as a potential subject for student projects.
10.34 The New England Anti-Vivisection Society (NEAVS)
http://www.neavs.org/
US-based animal advocacy organization, whose mission is to end the use of animals
in research, testing and science education and replace it with scientifically superior
and humane non-animal alternatives. NEAVS advocates for all animals inlaboratories and classrooms through education, public outreach, legislation, policychange, and legal action. The organisation is closely affiliated with the American
Fund for Alternatives to Animal Research (AFAAR).
10.35 PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)
http://www.peta.org
PETA continues its campaigns as one of the world's leading animal rights
organisations. A previous Lush prizewinner and nominee, PETA's most recent
victories include engagement with government officials in both China and India to
end animal testing and promote the use of alternatives, as well as direct funding of

Lush Prize for Young Researchers, 2015 – Research Paper

17researchers in China to provide training in non-animal methods. PETA's
International Science Consortium Ltd. (PISC), promotes and funds nonanimal
research methods,bringing scientific and technical expertise as well as extensive
knowledge of the international regulatory environment to the development of testing
protocols.
10.36 Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM)
http://www.pcrm.org/
The PCRM promotes alternatives to animal research and campaigns for the use of
non-animal methods in medical education. They provide a wealth of scientificeducational materials, information on courses and career opportunities andinternships. The PCRM also campaigns on a broader scope for higher standards of
ethical research and the benefits of preventative medicine.
10.37 Platforms and Funds for Alternatives to Animal Experimentation, Live
Kleveland
http://oslovet.norecopa.no/platform/report/ecopaplatforms.pdf
A report from The Norwegian Reference Centre for Laboratory Animal Science &Alternatives, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Oslo, Norway 2005.
10.38 The Portuguese Society for Humane Education (SPEdH)
http://www.spedh.com/
SPEdH was founded in 2006 in Lisbon and campaigns for humane treatment ofanimals in all aspects of training and education.. SpedH recently hosted the second
International Conference Of Alternatives to Animal Experimentation (ICAAE)
http://www.icaae.com/
10.39 Juliana von Went Fund for Research Without Animal Experiments
http://www.jvws.org/
The Juliana von Wendt Fund, founded in 1971, is a Finnish charity, which supports
humane methods of scientific and medical research. The Fund awards yearly grants
to Finnish researchers developing and applying non-animal methodology in a wide
range of fields including toxicity testing, cancer research, surgery, antibody
production, computer assisted drug modelling, tissue culture techniques, higher
education etc. Methods replacing exceptionally harmful use of animals areprioritised, as well as projects which are most relevant for human or animal welfare.
From 1996 onwards the Fund has awarded The Scandinavian Research Prize for
Alternatives to Animal Experiments together with the funds of Sweden and Denmark.
10.40 SAFE (Save Animals from Exploitation)www.safe.org.nz
SAFE are a New Zealand based organisation and previous 2013 ‘Public Awareness’
Lush Prize winner promoting a number of educational materials. They also offer
school speaking services to educate and raise awareness on a variety of animal
rights and welfare issues, including animal experiments.
10.41 SenzaGen AB
http://www.senzagen.com/
SenzaGen AB, based in Lund, Sweden is a privately owned Biotech-company,
providing methods for assessment of immunotoxicological properties of chemical

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compounds and mixtures. Continuous R&D activities aims to broaden the application
domain of provided services, and the company have close connections toimmunological and toxicological researchers at Lund University, Sweden.
SenzaGen's lead product, the GARD assay for assessment of chemical skinsensitizers, is a peer-reviewed assay that is currently considered for ECVAM
validation and prioritized by the Cosmetic Europe Skin Tolerance Task Force.
10.42 SET (Foundation for the Promotion of Alternate and Complementary
Methods to Reduce Animal Testing) Germany
http://www.stiftung-set.de/index.php
SET based in Germany, offers the opportunity to gain funding for projects which
focus broadly across the 3Rs. SET also have an interest in funding training andeducation initiatives.
10.43 SEURAT-1 (Safety Evaluation Ultimately Replacing Animal Tests)
http://www.seurat-1.eu/
SEURAT-1 is an international scale collaborative project funded under the EU
Seventh Framework Programme (FP-7). SEURAT recently hosted its second ‘Young
Scientists Summer School’ in collaboration with ESTIV (European Society of
Toxicology In Vitro) to discuss replacement of repeat dose toxicity testing in animals.
10.44 Scientists for Global Responsibility (SGR)
http://www.sgr.org.uk
SGR are based in the UK and promote ethical awareness in science and technology.
They provide an ‘ethical careers’ section on their website which includes resources
to help scientists and engineers gain a deeper understanding of ethical issues inscience, design and technology and help them choose an ethical path in this area.
Materials include briefings, presentations, articles and other resources, as well as an‘ethical employers’ contact list.
10.45 The Swedish Fund for Research Without Animal Experiments
http://www.forskautandjurforsok.se/index.php
The Swedish Fund supports alternatives in basic and applied research in various
areas, including the development of computer simulation systems, toxicology, andtraining of laboratory personnel and courses in alternatives. The fund has awarded
over 30 million SEK since 1971 and currently awards projects totalling €80,000160,000 each year.
10.46 The 3R Research Foundation (Switzerland)
http://www.forschung3r.ch/en/information
The 3Rs foundation awards annual prizes for research directly impacting on the 3Rs.
They have key areas of interest that they emphasise to grant applicants, one ofwhich is alternative methods to acute and chronic toxicity testing.

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