Research projects

Cancer is a complex disease consisting of genetic changes, cell growth, immune reactions and metastasis. As tumours interact with the immune system, blood vessels and various organs, studies in the whole organism are often crucial and cannot be replaced by animal-free methods. Among other things, animal models are used to investigate the mechanisms of carcinogenesis, metastasis, the tumour microenvironment and, of course, therapeutic approaches. Conventional chemotherapies are often not sufficiently effective and have dramatic side effects. Treatments that have been developed on the basis of animal models include CHeckpoint inhibitors, CAR T-cell therapies and personalised therapy approaches. These innovative concepts give new hope to critically ill patients.

Animal experiments play an important role in understanding the immune system and developing life-saving therapies. Many fundamental mechanisms such as the function of T and B cells or the mechanisms of inflammation and immune regulation were first discovered in mouse models. Research on animals has also made an important contribution to the development of vaccines and immunotherapies and is still very important in these areas today. Complex autoimmune diseases in particular, such as multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid arthritis, can only be investigated in a whole organism and therefore cannot yet be replaced by animal-free methods.

In cardiovascular research, animal experiments have made a decisive contribution to understanding cardiovascular diseases and developing modern therapies. As the heart and circulation function as a complex, dynamic system (blood pressure, nerve control, hormones, metabolism), many processes can only be investigated in living organisms. Animal models have made it possible to analyse blood pressure regulation and vascular function or to research the genetic causes of heart disease, among other things. Technical innovations such as pacemakers or heart valve prostheses can only be used safely in humans because there is data from animal experiments.

In neurobiology and behavioural research, animal experiments have made a significant contribution to understanding the brain as a complex network of nerve cells, messenger substances and behavioural patterns. Behaviour, thinking and feeling cannot be simulated by any currently available model. The same applies to mental illnesses, the frequency of which is constantly increasing and which can be extremely stressful for patients. Only very limited insights into the brain as an organ can be gained from living humans. Research on animals is therefore indispensable in this area. State-of-the-art methods such as imaging on living animals reduce the stress involved in animal experiments and the number of animals required.

As transplants involve complex immunological, surgical and physiological processes, studies in the whole organism have been central to date. After a transplant, there are a number of reactions in the body that need to be controlled with medication. Otherwise, rejection reactions can occur, which in the worst case can lead to the death of the transplanted patient. The fundamental understanding of these mechanisms and the development of immunosuppressive drugs are based on animal experiments. In addition, research into the transfer of animal organs to humans is a milestone in transplantation medicine and could be a life-saving solution for patients in the future due to the shortage of donor organs.

In basic research, the functions of the body are investigated. This makes it possible to answer the following questions, for example: How do the different cells in an organism work together? How do organs function? How does the environment influence certain processes in the body? Only when the mechanisms behind the development of a disease have been clarified can therapies be developed at a later stage. Many alternative methods to animal experiments, such as computer simulations, also require "basic knowledge" in order to function properly and produce results. Basic research on animal models is currently still making an indispensable contribution here.