RE-Place database

Over the past years, much progress has been made in the field of alternative methods to animal testing, recently often referred to as 'New Approach Methodologies (NAMs)' and many valuable in chemico, in silico and in vitro methods have been developed. However, the existing knowledge of these methods is extremely scattered and there is insufficient communication between the different laboratories.

The RE-Place project aims to centralise the expertise present in the Flemish and Brussels regions in one database, and make it more accessible to the general public. This database can evolve into a broader platform where researchers can connect with peers and possible partners in order to initiate new collaborations. In a later stage, the RE-Place database can also be integrated and/or expanded with new and/or existing databases.

NAMs include:

• In vitro and ex vivo methods (e.g. cell lines and tissue cultures);
• In silico methods (e.g. QSARs [Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship] and read-across);
• In chemico methods (e.g. assays evaluating the reactivity and properties of substances or components);
• Experiments with invertebrates (e.g. fruit flies and flatworms);
• Imaging techniques for animals (e.g. CT-scans [Computed Tomography] and MRI-scans [Magnetic Resonance Imaging]);
• High-throughput testing strategies and omics techniques (e.g. genomics, metabolomics, proteomics and transcriptomics);
• Other innovative techniques (e.g. organ-on-a-chip);

For more information about RE-Place, please email info@re-place.be

Reference
van Mulders et al. (2022): RE-Place: A Unique Project Collecting Expertise on New Approach Methodologies