Examples of new approach methodologies (NAMs): bio correlation network for biocomputing, 3D bioprinted organoid (from the UMN System Regeneration Lab), organs on a chip.
With a research portfolio exceeding 1,000 active animal-model studies, the University of Minnesota is a leader in global health and biomedical innovation. Nearly every medical treatment, medical device, and diagnostic tool available today was developed with the help of animals in research, from heart transplants to chemotherapy. Future treatments and cures for some of today’s most debilitating illnesses, like multiple sclerosis, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease, will likely also rely on progress made through animal research.
On March 5, the Research and Innovation Office hosted an in-person Animal Welfare Symposium on the University's Twin Cities campus as part of Research Ethics Week (March 2-6). The event brought together over 150 researchers, administrators, lab staff, and other members of the animal research community to discuss the evolving landscape of animal welfare and ethical research. The event focused heavily on new approach methodologies (NAMs) and the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement), emphasizing how the University and its partners are leading the charge in humane scientific advancement.
Navigating Federal Guidelines
The morning session kicked off with opening remarks from Joanne Billings, interim vice president for research and innovation, who emphasized that research ethics is how we build and sustain trust in our methods and in the validity and reproducibility of our findings.
"Animal welfare is not a ‘nice to have’ alongside the science. It is part of the science. The same care we bring to rigor and reproducibility must show up in how we design and conduct studies, how we reduce pain and distress, how we support animal well-being, and how we continuously improve our practices."
She said new tools (like organoids and computational models) and new approaches are part of the engine that will drive a "culture of excellence."
Kimberly Kirkpatrick, associate vice president for research and innovation, offered an insightful look at the shifting regulatory environment and federal funding landscape that impacts biomedical research. She discussed the rapid evolution of NAMs such as in vitro models and computer modeling and the challenges and opportunities to NAMs to augment animal research for reduction and refinement and highlighted the importance of staying ahead of shifting federal guidelines.
"The integration of NAMs isn't just about adopting new technology; it’s about aligning our ethical frameworks with the next generation of scientific discovery. As federal guidelines evolve, we are committed to ensuring that these innovations serve as a bridge to translating animal research for successful clinical applications."
Innovation in Practice
Melanie Graham, professor, Department of Surgery and director of the Preclinical Research Center, whose biomedical research focuses on regenerative medicine in diseases such as diabetes, shared examples of how NAMs such as AI models and organoids are currently being used to refine pre-clinical research to promote successful translation to patients.
The keynote address was delivered by professor George Aslanidi of The Hormel Institute. Aslanidi’s presentation, "Selecting Appropriate Animal Models for Safety and Efficacy Studies," challenged attendees to think critically about model selection to deliver the best results, ensuring that animal use is only employed when it provides the most valid and necessary data for human and animal health outcomes. He showed promising results from gene therapies developed in animal models that are improving patients’ lives.
UMN Pilot Projects
The symposium included a panel discussion moderated by Melanie Graham featuring UMN researchers Sydney Phu, Sierra Palmer, James Dutton, Sabarinathan Ramachandran, and Cole Myers. The discussion explored approaches to implementing these new methodologies in the research environment.
The afternoon session highlighted specific pilot programs and initiatives underway within the University:
- Environmental Monitoring: Christine Rohlf, postdoctoral associate, presented a compelling case for replacing traditional sentinel programs with environmental monitoring, a move that has eliminated animal usage for health surveillance in Research Animal Resources (RAR).
- Transnetyx Pilot Study: Lisa Johnson, RAR executive director, introduced a possible strategic partnership and Clare Quarnstrom shared results from a pilot study, showcasing how automated genotyping can reduce lab costs and the number of animals needed, allowing staff to shift their focus from colony management to research.
- IACUC Integration: Ilana Cohen, Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) director, concluded the presentations by outlining best practices for researchers to incorporate NAMs directly into their IACUC protocols, making the transition from theory to practice more seamless for faculty.
As NAMs mature and become more widely integrated, they offer new opportunities to refine in vivo studies, improve welfare outcomes, and strengthen scientific quality. Overall, the symposium showcased how innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to ethical research practices are advancing both animal welfare and scientific excellence.
Learn more about the University's commitment to animal welfare: