Computer simulations Peter Friedl

- The behavior of tumor cells

Peter Friedl of the Department of Cell Biology specializes in fundamental research of cancer: he studies the functioning of cells, of both the immune system of our body and a tumor and its possible metastases. He conducts research with laboratory animals, in the lab and with computer simulations, also known as silico research. He is professor of microscopic imaging of the cell and talks about one of his most important studies, into the way in which cancer cells relate to each other.

"In the beginning of metastasis of a tumor, clusters of tumor cells overcome  various  mechanical blockages to detach from the primary tumor, crawl through surrounding tissues, and infiltrate blood vessels after which they reach other organs. We  mapped this journey mechanically,  in a combination of computer models, tissue culture and animal experimental research."

"We wanted to know to what extent cancer cells in breast cancer metastases hold onto each other. Are these cells separate individuals or do they operate as a group? And how tightly do they hold each other? First, we looked at how these cells related to each other in a dish in the lab. They turned out to be fluid. Then we examined it in mice, and there too we saw this conclusion. Finally, we used a computer model to confirm our hypothesis, and it did. So, we have shown in three ways that metastatic cancer cells can manifest themselves in different ways: from very firm as a kind of a solid wall of bricks, to a fluid intermediate form or to lose individuals. With this knowledge, we can develop more targeted therapies against cancer. When grouped, cancer cells can become resistant to treatment, so we can now look at that in a more targeted way."With this knowledge, we can develop more targeted therapies against cancer.

"I am pleased that we can make use of innovations where we need fewer laboratory animals. As far as computer models are concerned, a lot will happen in the coming years. But I expect that we will still take a very long time – of maybe never - be able to do completely without laboratory animals in biomedical science. The triangle of animal experiments (in vivo research), cell research in the lab (in vitro) and computer simulations (in silico) will remain important for the foreseeable future. I  think it remains necessary to confirm certain hypotheses  or outcomes from computer simulations  or in vitro research in living organisms. As a society, we must realize that there is simply no alternative yet, as opposed to, for example, for consuming meat. Here, we do have alternatives with plenty of vegetarian meat substitutes for sale. But there is no alternative to certain animal experiments, for example for developing anti-cancer drugs.  That is why I am pleased that with our research we can contribute to reducing the number of animal experiments."

go to main content
Research Laboratory animal research

Responsible research with laboratory animals

Radboudumc wants to lead the way in creating sustainable, innovative and affordable health care. This starts with good scientific biomedical research. For most of our research we use laboratory studies and human volunteers, for example. However, for some biological and medical research, animal research is still indispensable or sometimes even required by law.

read more

Responsible research with laboratory animals

At Radboudumc, we want to be on the forefront in creating a sustainable, innovative and affordable healthcare system. Every day we strive for better care, research and education; every day we get a better understanding of how diseases arise and how we can prevent, treat and cure them. In short, we want to have a significant impact on health care: being distinctive together with and for our patients.

This starts with good scientific biomedical research. For most of our research at Radboudumc and Radboud University we use laboratory studies, cell and tissue culture techniques, computer simulations and human volunteers. For some biological and medical research, however, studies in laboratory animals are still indispensable or sometimes even required by law. When there is no alternative, we conduct studies with laboratory animals at Radboudumc. Test animals help us to acquire fundamental knowledge about how humans and animals function and give us insight into the origin and course of certain diseases. This is essential for developing new treatment methods and determining how effective they are.

Animal research is conducted only under strict conditions:

  • The research questions cannot be answered by existing scientific literature.
  • Alternative methods without the use of laboratory animals are not available.
  • Two independent committees, the Animal Research Committee (Dierexperimentencommissie (DEC)) and the Central Committee on Animal Experiments (Centrale Commissie Dierproeven (CCD)), must approve the studies.
  • Laboratory animal research is based on the 3Rs: replacement, reduction, and refinement.
  • Radboud University has the appropriate facilities, expertise and license to conduct scientific experiments with laboratory animals. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (Nederlandse Voedsel‐ en Warenautoriteit (NVWA) periodically checks whether the animal experiments are carried out according to laws and regulations.
  • Radboudumc's and Radboud University's laboratory animal research is conducted at the Animal Research Facility.

Contact

For substantive questions, please contact our (science) press officers.

contact

Why research with laboratory animals?

The research helps us to develop knowledge about how humans and animals function. It also helps us learn more about how certain diseases arise and how they can be treated or cured.

read more

Why research with laboratory animals?

Within Radboudumc and Radboud University, both fundamental as well as (bio-)medical research is conducted. At present, not all research questions can be answered by laboratory research or research with human volunteers. This is why we also use laboratory animals for our (scientific) studies at Radboudumc.

Animal experiments are currently still an indispensable part of most of biological, medical and veterinary research. They help us to develop knowledge about how humans and animals function, and to learn more about how certain diseases arise and how they can be treated or cured.

Animal research is necessary to:

  • Obtain fundamental knowledge of biological processes that can be translated to humans and investigated further in humans.
  • Learn how diseases are caused.
  • Develop new treatment options and determine how effective they are.  
  • Develop vaccines and other methods to prevent disease.

Basic principles

When laboratory animal research is conducted, it is done responsibly. In order to do so, Radboudumc strives for the so-called 3 Rs:

  • Replacement
  • Reduction
  • Refinement
read more

Basic principles

When laboratory animal research is conducted, it is done responsibly. In order to do so, Radboudumc strives for the so-called 3 Rs: replacement, reduction and refinement (commissioned by the Centrale Commissie Dierproeven (Dutch) by order of the government).

During each phase, we consider whether a research question can be answered without laboratory animals (replacing), with fewer animals (reducing) or with a reduced level of distress for the animals (refining). Every day we work from these basic principles and in close collaboration with members of the animal welfare body (AWB), biotechniciansand animal caretakers.

Leading the way in reducing

As Radboudumc and Radboud University, our shared ambition is to lead the way in developing and applying techniques and models that help us reduce the number of laboratory animals used in our experiments.

read more

Leading the way in reducing

As Radboudumc and Radboud University, our ambition is to lead the way in developing and applying techniques and models that help us reduce the number of laboratory animals used in our experiments.

For example, we increasingly use alternatives to laboratory animals, such as computer simulations, cell models, organoids and organ-on-a-chip models derived from patients' cells. In addition, the application of molecular imaging techniques is receiving increasing attention. These are techniques in which biological processes such as cell division, gene expression, metabolism, cell migration and activity of enzymes can be studied quantitatively in a laboratory animal, non-invasively at multiple time points. This results in the use of fewer animals because more information can be obtained from one animal. Another important development is optimizing research with laboratory animals by better inventorising our current knowledge, such as by systematic reviews.

Examples of innovations without animal testing:

Animal Research Facility

Radboudumc and Radboud University laboratory animal research is conducted in the Animal Research Facility. The facility provides advice, workspace, and expertise from planning to execution.

see page

Committees

Animal Research Committees assess whether the importance of a study outweighs the harm to the animals. With the advice of a committee, the Central Committee on Animal Experiments determines whether someone is granted a license for animal research. The Central Committee oversees the operations.

visit website (Dutch)

Legislation

Radboudumc and Radboud University not only want to comply with the applicable laws and regulations, but we also actively work on new methods and insights to improve animal welfare and reduce the use of laboratory animals.

read more

Legislation

The laws and regulations about animal testing have been expanded during the last decade. The legislation on animal experimentation in the Netherlands is described in the Animal Experiments Act, which is based on and goes beyond the European Directive 2010/63/EU.

Radboud University has a license to conduct scientific experiments with laboratory animals. The Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) regularly checks whether the animal experiments are conducted according to these laws and regulations.

Every institute licensed to conduct animal experiments annually reports on their experiments with laboratory animals. This information is collected nationally and published in the annual rapport ‘Zo Doende’, the NVWA's annual overview of animal experiments and laboratory animals. Radboud university medical center and Radboud University not only want to comply with the current laws and regulations, but we also actively work on new methods and insights to improve animal welfare and further reduce the use of laboratory animals.

Also useful