On April 24th, Laboratory Animal Day is celebrated. To guarantee animal welfare and adequate conditions for research, there are so-called vivariums. At the University of Coimbra, under the management of the Center for Neuroscience and Cellular Biology of the University of Coimbra (CNC-UC), there are two vivariums, one at the UC Faculty of Medicine and the other at UC Biotech, in which new formulations are tested to treat autoimmune, inflammatory or cancerous diseases.
“Not long ago, we experienced a situation that showed that, although basic research is important, animal research continues to be very important”, argues the main researcher at CNC-UC, Cristina Marquéz. All scientific research “has to be communicated to society, especially that involving animals”, admits the researcher, aware of the growing number of protest movements against animal experimentation.
“It is clear that we should not treat animals badly”, and even though there are now alternatives to animal experimentation, these are not always sufficient to advance science in promoting everyone’s health, “not only human beings but also animals”.
This is the case of the research now underway in the vivarium installed at UC Biotech, entitled “Study of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of new molecules and/or formulations in the prevention or treatment of autoimmune, inflammatory or cancerous diseases”. “This is a pilot study of tumor cells”, explains the coordinator of the animal facilities at CNC-UC, Paula Mota.
Tags: vivariums University Coimbra
