3R principles (replace, reduce, refine)

In 2025, researchers at the Max Delbrück Center and its partner institutions used almost one-third fewer research animals than in the previous year – a total of 23,878. The center has submitted the figures to the Berlin State Office for Health and Social Affairs.

During Berlin Science Week, more than 200 researchers, animal welfare officers and managers, journalists, communicators and experts on openness on animal research met at the first-ever EARA conference at the Max Delbrück Center in Berlin-Buch.

Research teams at the Max Delbrück Center and its partner institutions used a total of 31,517 animals in experiments in 2024 – almost 6,000 fewer than the previous year. These figures were reported to the Berlin State Office for Health and Social Affairs (LaGeSo).

Are animal experiments still necessary? The initiative “Understanding Animal Testing” has collected more than a hundred responses to the question from researchers, animal caretakers, and institute leaders across Germany – including us at the Max Delbrück Center.

Organ-on-a-chip technologies can serve as models of human biology. But they have been limited by the inability to grow them with a vascular system. Bioengineer Professor Milica Radisic will begin a three-year fellowship at the Max Delbrück Center in Berlin-Buch to take on the challenge.

Research teams at the Max Delbrück Center and its partner institutions used almost 17,000 fewer research animals in 2023 than in the previous year. The Center has now submitted these figures to the Berlin State Office for Health and Social Affairs (LaGeSo).

At a workshop organized by EARA, researchers, animal welfare officers, and communicators gained insights into how they can communicate more openly and proactively about animal research. The event, with over 80 participants, was held in collaboration with the Max Delbrück Center.

On January 29th, the European Animal Research Association (EARA) and Charité –Universitätsmedizin Berlin, in collaboration with the Max Delbrück Center and Freie Universität Berlin, invite those working in the life science sector to discuss the need for greater transparency in animal research.

The Einstein Center 3R will continue for a second funding period. Following a successful interim evaluation, the board of the Einstein Foundation Berlin has approved funding for a further two and a half years for research into alternatives to animal testing. Partners include the Max Delbrück Center.

No science-remote phase-out plan for animal research in Europe – the EU-LIFE research alliance, which includes the Max Delbrück Center, welcomes the EU Commission's response to the European citizens' initiative "Save Cruelty Free Cosmetics".