News
Human research: How human genes influence metabolism
Monday, 06 October 2025 10:24A German-British research team has created the largest genetic map of human metabolism to date, investigating the effects of the human genetic code on blood values such as cholesterol and amino acids. They succeeded in identifying a new gene called VEGFA, which may control aspects of the denser form of cholesterol (HDL). The findings could be of interest for the development of new drugs to prevent heart disease.
New app for classifying skin sensitization potential
Monday, 29 September 2025 11:32The NTP Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods (NICEATM) has collaborated with scientists from the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) to develop an application that uses data from the Human Predictive Patch Test (HPPT) to better assess skin sensitization potential when classifying chemicals.
Deadline October 15: CAAT Reduction Grant and Humane Education Grant 2025
Monday, 29 September 2025 09:22The Johns Hopkins Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT) is accepting applications for the 2025 Reduction Grant and the 2025 Humane Education Grant until October 15.
International Alzheimer's Day: New methods for more accurate research required
Friday, 19 September 2025 18:54Alzheimer's and dementia are the second greatest fear among Germans after cancer. (1) Despite the approval of antibody therapy for early-stage Alzheimer's, the disease is incurable. New research methods for treating the complex cascade of dramatic nerve cell loss are urgently needed.
Meta-analysis: DNA methylation may contribute to susceptibility to depression
Thursday, 18 September 2025 11:54In a study with participation from the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at LMU Hospital in Munich, researchers have for the first time identified epigenetic markers characteristic of depression in a very large sample. According to the results, the immune system may also be a mediating factor in the development of depression.
Freie Universität Berlin Joins European Coalition for Research Assessment Reform
Thursday, 11 September 2025 09:39Freie Universität Berlin has officially joined the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment (CoARA) in an effort to reform how research is assessed within the European academic sphere. The aim of the initiative is to recognize the quality of scientific and academic work more holistically – beyond quantitative indicators such as the Journal Impact Factor or university rankings.
Hanover: Pregnancy test without antibodies from animals
Wednesday, 03 September 2025 14:37Conventional pregnancy tests use antibodies that are often obtained from animals, such as mice, which involves animal suffering. The first vegan pregnancy test "Hey Mela" uses antibodies from diatoms instead of animal products.
Pharmaceutical industry: AI instead of animal testing could reduce manufacturing costs by half in the next few years
Wednesday, 03 September 2025 13:58According to the Reuters news agency, pharmaceutical companies are increasingly relying on artificial intelligence (AI) when developing and testing the safety of drugs to achieve faster and more cost-effective results.
Call for Proposals: CAAT’s 2025 Reduction Grant and Humane Education Grant
Tuesday, 02 September 2025 10:00The Johns Hopkins Center for Alternatives to Animal Testing (CAAT) is now accepting proposals for the 2025 Reduction Grant and the 2025 Humane Education Grant.
Switzerland: in vitro research on titanium implants
Friday, 29 August 2025 11:23Materials scientist Dr. Martina Cihova from the laboratory “Fügetechnologie und Korrosion” at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA) in Dübendorf, Switzerland, is investigating why titanium implants are rejected in the body or break there under certain circumstances. For this purpose, she uses liquids, human immune cells, and a microscope.
Dr. rer. nat.
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