The use of animals in biomedical research is still essential to improve human health and researchers will need to use animal models until there are valid alternatives. At Imperial College London, the use of animals in research is strictly regulated by ethical committees ensuring that all animals are treated with the uttermost respect and in line with high standards of welfare and care.
Imperial College London is committed to develop and use alternative models and tools to address important scientific questions, to optimally design and analyse animal experiments and to improve animal welfare. This set of principles is often referred to as the 3Rs (replacement, reduction and refinement of the use of animals in research). The Imperial 3Rs Advisory Group ensure that everyone who works with animal models at the College is fully engaged with the principles and application of the 3Rs.
To maximise Imperial College London support for the application of the 3Rs, the Imperial 3Rs Hub was founded in 2021. Our aim is to foster and attract scientific excellences, educate current and future alumni, and support all level of staff to ultimately fulfil our long-term commitment in replacing the use of animals in scientific research. Thanks to the UKRI – Research England’s Enhancing Research Culture funding, we developed this website to nurturing the Imperial leadership position in the use of animals in research and applications of the 3Rs and became a global leader in 3Rs technologies.