Improving translational research, maximizing animal welfare, and developing alternatives

Biomedical research leads to new treatments, diagnostic tests and preventive measures. To produce these results, knowledge gained in the laboratory setting must be able to reach the patient, i.e. it must be ‘translated’ to clinical and community health care settings. This process is known as ‘translation’. The overriding goal of Charité 3^R is to enhance this translation of research from bench to bedside.

Animal research continues to play an important role within the field of biomedical research. Charité 3^R aims to advance animal welfare standards within the field and enhance the quality of unavoidable animal research. We are also determined to further the development of new alternatives to animal research.

Our name – Charité 3^R – is based on the ‘principles of the 3Rs’ (Replacement, Reduction and Refinement). Initially developed by William Russell and Rex Burch, these three guiding principles advocate the use of methods which avoid or replace the use of animals in testing (Replacement), and minimize the number (Reduction) or the suffering of animals used in testing (Refinement).

Charité 3^R promotes the development of such methods within Charité’s biomedical research endeavors, and works in close collaboration with the Forschungseinrichtungen für Experimentelle Medizin.