Biomedical Research
What can VETERISPHERE bring to biomedical research?
Biomedical research often involves the use of animal models to understand biological mechanisms, human and animal diseases, and to test new treatments. Expertise in animal health and welfare is crucial in this context for several key reasons, encompassing ethics, scientific quality, and legal aspects.
Adherence to Ethical Standards and Regulatory Compliance
The use of animals in research raises significant ethical questions. Animal welfare expertise ensures that experiments adhere to the "3Rs" principles (Reduction, Refinement, Replacement), aiming to: Reduce the number of animals used as much as possible, Replace animals when feasible (e.g., with in vitro models), Refine procedures to minimize animal suffering and stress. Experts in animal health assist researchers in designing studies that comply with ethical standards and ensure proper animal treatment.
Many countries enforce strict regulations for the use of animals in research; in Europe, this is governed by Directive 2010/63/EU. These rules mandate the provision of veterinary care, adherence to protocols approved by ethical committees, and maintenance of environments that minimize animal stress and pain.
Animal welfare professionals are well-versed in these laws and regulations and can guide researchers to ensure compliance, which is essential to avoid legal sanctions or funding suspensions.
Enhancing Scientific Data Quality and Disease Prevention
A stressed, ill, or mistreated animal can produce erroneous or biased biological responses, compromising the reliability of collected data.
For instance, stress or pain can alter metabolism, the immune system, and even animal behavior, thereby affecting experimental outcomes. Ensuring animal welfare thus improves data reproducibility and validity.
Moreover, biomedical research requires healthy animal models for safety and reliability reasons. Animal health experts are essential for detecting, preventing, and treating diseases in laboratory animals, which can not only interfere with experiments but also pose risks to researchers. They ensure the optimization of the environment (habitat, nutrition, care) to minimize risks of infections or stressful conditions.
Commitment to Responsible and Transparent Science
Society increasingly values animal welfare, and public funding is often contingent upon biomedical research's commitment to animal protection.
Expertise in animal health and welfare enables research institutions to adhere to responsible practices and demonstrate transparency and ethical commitment to the community and the public.
The presence of specialists in animal health and welfare in biomedical research is indispensable to ensure that experiments are ethically responsible, scientifically valid, and compliant with regulations, while meeting current societal expectations regarding animal protection.
SERVICES
VETERISPHERE aims to provide support and assistance to professionals in ethics and animal welfare.
SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SERVICES
Our theoretical and technical expertise allows us to intervene in various areas: project design involving in vivo studies, implementation of experimental procedures, establishment of specific animal models, studies of functional disorders, etc.
Research support by providing expertise in life sciences
Design of in vivo experimental procedures
Conducting in vivo experimental procedures
Development of innovative and ethical animal models
Writing projects and other research documents: protocols, grant applications, literature reviews, Project Authorization Requests, etc.
VETERINARY SERVICES
Regulations regarding the protection of animals used for scientific purposes require the involvement of a designated veterinarian. Our services include:
Assistance in the ethical design of experimental procedures
Supervision and management of a Structure responsible for Animal Welfare
Consulting on surgical procedures: anesthesia, analgesia, asepsis, and technical practices
Consulting and monitoring of health and biosecurity plans
Support in pain management
Veterinary care for animals used for scientific purposes
DESIGN AND CONSULTING SERVICES
We assist you in the design and implementation of your projects, ensuring compliance with ethical standards and promoting animal welfare. Our services include:
Consulting in the creation, design, and development of scientific animal User Establishments
OUR TRAININGS
VETERISPHERE offers two types of training tailored to your needs: