Researchers in Switzerland and beyond are continuously advancing both science and the 3Rs principle. With these advancements come new techniques, guidelines for working with animals and non-animal models, and policy briefs that bridge science and policy. Here, you’ll find practical resources to support your work—whether you’re conducting research, ensuring animal welfare, or shaping policy.
POLICY BRIEFS & PERSPECTIVE PAPERS
3RCC GUIDELINES & RESOURCES
EXTERNAL RESOURCES
Policy Briefs and Perspective Papers
Policy Briefs
Policy Brief on cell-based technology platforms
Cell-based technologies, ranging from conventional cell culture to more complex engineered models such as organoids and organ-on-chip systems, are becoming increasingly important for biomedical research, drug development and toxicology. By generating information...
Beyond Compliance: Exploring the Culture of Care in Swiss Animal Research
This report looks at if and how Swiss scientists are going beyond legal compliance in how they implement the Culture of Care.
Gentle Handling Report 2025
In 2020 and 2024, the Swiss 3RCC and the Swiss Culture of Care Network carried out two surveys on the use of non-aversive mouse handling methods among animal care and research staff in Switzerland. The goal was to assess: Awareness and understanding of these...
3RCC GUIDELINES AND RESOURCES
3RCC GUIDELINES AND RESOURCES
Tech3Rs newsletter for animal care staff
Regular newsletter produced by the NC3Rs and translated in national languages providing animal caretakers and technicians with recent advances in the 3Rs.
Using 3D printed mouse tail for IV injection training
Dr. Felix Gantenbein takes us through using a 3D printed tail to practice IV injections for mice.
Inside the lab: standardised methods for a human in vitro Blood-Brain Barrier model
This collection of step-by-step videos and standard operating procedures (SOPs) captures best practices refined through rigorous optimisation during the project, supporting reproducibility and reliable transfer of a human in vitro blood–brain barrier model.
External resources
External resources
DRIVER recommendations – improving the quality of in vitro research
Designing and Reporting In Vitro Experiments Responsibly The DRIVER recommendations provide a practical framework to improve the quality ofin vitro research. They set out six items – core principles that support researchers designhigh-quality in vitro studies and...
The Coalition to Illuminate and Address Animal Methods Bias (COLAAB)
Animal methods bias is a peer review bias characterized by a preference for animal-based research methods or lack of expertise to adequately evaluate nonanimal methods.
Recombinant antibodies database
FC3R Project: The FC3R aims to replace the use of antibodies of animal origin, which present both ethical and scientific robustness problems (variability, lack of reproducibility, etc.). In partnership with the Association Française d'Histotechnologie (AFH) and...
Basement membrane extracts / Matrigel alternatives database
The BME-free Database is part of the 3Rs Research Tools Program managed and hosted by the 3Rs Centre Utrecht, and is dedicated at facilitating researchers to replace, reduce and refine animal experiments. When mentioning the BME-free Database, please cite its...
FCS-free (Fetal Calf Serum) database
The FCS-free Database is part of the 3Rs Research Tools Program managed and hosted by the 3Rs Centre Utrecht, and are dedicated at facilitating researchers to replace, reduce and refine animal experiments. When mentioning the FCS-free Database, please also use its...
RE-place (NAMs)
New and innovative technologies continue to be developed across the life sciences. In recent years computer modelling, artificial intelligence, sophisticated cell cultures, organ-on-a-chip and many more technologies have tremendously advanced. These technologies are...
NAT (Non-Animal Technologies)
The NAT database (Non-Animal Technologies) contains information on modern non-animal technologies from various areas of biomedicine and life sciences, based on scientific studies and publications.
SMAFIRA (literature search on alternatives)
The SMAFIRA project aims to develop a search engine for supporting the retrieval of alternative methods to animal experiments. This project was initiated by the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) which performs the function of the “German Centre for...
Cancer-SOLES (preclinical cancer research)
Cancer-SOLES is a new digital platform for the systematic and continuous preparation of preclinical evidence in preclinical cancer research, with a special focus on small molecule targeting therapies. Cancer-SOLES (Systematic Online Living Evidence Summary) was...
3Rs Info Hub
The 3Rs InfoHub guides you toward the best approaches intended to replace, reduce or refine animal testing. Test your knowledge with 3R Quizzes and learn about 3Rs research on individual organs!