Reduce: Development of methods for the reduction of laboratory animal numbers

The reproducibility of animal test results, especially in basic biomedical research, has been repeatedly questioned scientifically in the past and led to the "reducibility crisis". The Bf3R wants to find out which methodological and institutional changes in research and the publication process lead to the reduction of unnecessary experiments. This work includes the development of mathematical models.

The Bf3R systematically evaluates approved applications to conduct animal experiments in order to specifically identify the research fields fNon-technical Projector which a constant number of animal experiments are approved. In these areas, the development of alternative methods as well as measures to reduce animal numbers and improve the welfare of laboratory animals is particularly useful, as many animals would benefit.