Based on the 3R principle, which was developed 65 years ago by William Russel and Rex Burch, the center addresses the question of how animal testing can be replaced, how the number of laboratory animals can be reduced, and how the stress on laboratory animals can be alleviated. The center is active in the areas of communication, training, and research.

The research focuses on human 3D organ models, such as organoids – three-dimensional tissue models grown from stem cells – or bioprinting – three-dimensional printed tissue. The aim of EC3R is to develop robust biomedical models that deliver reproducible results across laboratories. The Einstein Center 3R places a high value on networking: In addition to collaborations between the individual research projects on the lungs, heart, brain, neuromuscular junction, liver and intestines, there are connections through two cross-sectional projects that deal with quality aspects. In July, the collaboration will start with a new group that wants to develop a special organ-on-a-chip model for the study of vascular diseases.

The Einstein Center 3R combines expertise from Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Technische Universität Berlin and was established in close cooperation with the Berlin Institute of Health at Charité, the Max Delbrück Center, the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, and the Robert Koch Institute. The center will be funded by the Einstein Foundation Berlin with approximately 2.4 million euros until December 31, 2026.

Website of the “Einstein Center 3R”