Designing and Reporting In Vitro Experiments Responsibly

The DRIVER recommendations provide a practical framework to improve the quality of
in vitro research. They set out six items – core principles that support researchers design
high-quality in vitro studies and report them transparently. Developed by an international working group of experts, of which the Swiss 3RCC is a member, the recommendations also include the essential information required by reviewers and editors to assess the methodological rigour, reproducibility and reliability of the work.

Evidence suggests that in vitro studies are often not reported with sufficient detail for readers to fully understand the methods used and interpret the results, which raises concerns about the reliability of the studies and the translational value of their findings. Poorly designed or inadequately reported studies waste time, funding and other resources, and where biological samples originate from animals, can lead to unnecessary animal use. These shortcomings can undermine confidence in in vitro models and limit their wider adoption as credible alternatives to animal models. To address this, the NC3Rs has developed the DRIVER recommendations, which provide tailored support for improving the reliability and transparency of in vitro research.

The recommendations are intended to:

• Establish a core set of principles applicable across all in vitro models and methods.
• Promote key experimental design practices that strengthen the methodological rigour of in vitro studies.
• Define the essential information that should be reported in manuscripts to support transparent presentation, critical appraisal and interpretation of the findings of in vitro studies.
• Introduce a flexible framework that supports the reliability and reproducibility of in vitro experiments while allowing tailoring to specific experimental contexts.

Who are the DRIVER recommendations for?

• Researchers: To support the design, conduct and reporting of in vitro studies through practical
• guidance, worked examples and interactive learning resources.
• Journals: To support the assessment and peer review of in vitro studies through a framework for evaluating study design and reporting.
• Funders: To support the evaluation of funding applications and research outputs through clear expectations for the design, conduct and reporting of in vitro research.
• Universities: To support education, training and quality improvement in in vitro research by providing a benchmark for good practice and researcher development.