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 * National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs)

The National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) is an independent scientific organisation in the UK that promotes alternatives to the use of animals in scientific procedures in the UK. Set up by the UK Government in May 2004, it provides scientists working in academia and industry with innovative solutions to replace or avoid the use of animals in research, and to improve welfare by refining procedures and reducing the number of animals used where no alternatives yet exist (the 3Rs). The Centre funds high-quality research and develops information resources and guidelines to advance the 3Rs in academia and industry. It also promotes the 3Rs through workshops and symposia at research centres across the UK.

Strategy
The NC3Rs has outlined a strategy to ensure that 3Rs remains part of mainstream science:
 * Driving new approaches – Inspiring scientists in academia and industry, and fostering innovative thinking
 * Aligning science and technology with the 3Rs – Bringing together experts from a range of disciplines and sectors to explore the 3Rs potential of new technologies, and welcoming applications for interdisciplinary research grants.
 * Working with the UK's major funders of bioscience research – Through peer review and best practice guidelines
 * Organising and funding events – Including scientific symposia and focused workshops such as CRACK IT as part of our integrated programmes
 * Profile raising and disseminating information – Via our information portal and more broadly the website, range of publications, peer-reviewed articles and expert working groups and annual prize

The NC3Rs has initiated an extensive range of centre-led programmes that support its strategy.

Implementing the 3Rs
Most scientists and governments agree that animal testing should cause as little suffering as possible. In accordance with those species defined as protected by the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA), the 3Rs concern any fully developed non human vertebrate, plus any developed animal of the species Octopus vulgaris. The NC3Rs exists to enable scientists to adopt 3R working practices. It does this by funding 3R research as follows :

Replacement
Since the NC3Rs was approximately 3/5 of NC3Rs grants have been given to research that seeks to identify replacements for animal testing. The two most commonly described alternatives to in vivo animal testing cell cultures (in vitro) and computer simulations (in silico). Microdosing of consenting human test subjects is one ethical alternative, while invertebrates such as nematode worm C. elegans, fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, or even simple organisms such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae or budding yeast all provide scientifically useful data and are viable replacements for higher animals. In vitro and in silico methods have been previously criticised for not being true 'replacement' (cell cultures require an initial animal source, and computational work relies on in vivo data for verification). However, increased computing power and storage and improved statistical methods all increase the amount of information available for computer simulation, while convergent technologies such as nanomaterials and lab-on-a-chip make testing on realistic synthetic materials an attractive alternative in many cases.

Refinement
Approximately 1/3 of grants awarded by the NC3Rs have been directed towards refining procedures that involve animals. This is achieved on the one hand through consideration of animal welfare – more natural habitats, more space and opportunity for social interaction, and improved animal handling – while an equally important consideration is minimisation of the severity of procedures and the stress that this can cause the animal.

Reduction
Where animals absolutely have to be used, there are steps that can be taken to ensure that the maximum possible data can be extracted per animal involved. Improved statistical methods from bioinformatics and systems biology physiological genomics methods mean that more valuable information can be obtained from a single experiment, paving the way for replacement in the future, with better computational or in silico modelling. The NC3Rs hosts an information portal with links to large datasets, encourages collaboration across continents and disciplines, and establishes methodologies to ensure that data are reported as objectively as possible. One of these methodologies, ARRIVE, has been set up specifically to introduce more a more rigorous and standardised approach to the reporting of animal procedures in scientific journals.

History
The 3Rs as a concept had their beginnings in the 1950s and were formally described by W.M.S. Russell and R.L. Burch in 1957 (further information can be found here). The NC3Rs had its beginnings in the findings of a House of Lords Select Committee Report on the use of animals in research in 2002. An Inter-Departmental Group on Reduction, Refinement and Replacement (IDG3R) was asked to explore the scope for a UK 3R research. In 2003 the Group reported to ministers that there was strong support for a body to coordinate and publicise 3R research; that “should remain part of mainstream biomedical research rather than be separated from it”, and that an internet portal http://www.nc3rs.org.uk should be set up to disseminate information. The Group submitted its final report to Ministers in February 2004, recommending that a new national centre should be set up. This centre replaces and builds upon the former Medical Research Council Centre for Best Practice for Animals in Research, a recommendation of the IDG3R.

Funding and Grants
The NC3Rs is funded mainly by the Medical Research Council, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, with significant contributions from The Home Office and Industry. Grants are available for up to 3 years. Proposals relevant to any area of medical, biological or veterinary research or safety testing are sought. A link to the relevant page is available in the notes.