Developing new complex in vitro models for preclinical studies – PRIM-TECH3R

Developing new technologies and services for Research Infrastructures is one of our key priorities. Euro-BioImaging is partnering with fellow ERICs Infrafrontier and BBMRI in the framework of a new EU-funded technology development project - PRIM-TECH3R.

The need for in vitro models 

Reliable in vitro models are increasingly demanded by the scientific community to support the Replacement, Reduction and Refinement (3R principle) of mouse models.

The project, coordinated by Infrafrontier ERIC, brings together experts to develop and validate new complex in vitro models (CIVMs) as an alternative and support to mouse models used in research to understand and develop treatments for human diseases. Concerns on ethics and translatability have prompted a shift from mouse models towards alternative methods such as complex in vitro models (CIVMs). 

PRIM-TECH3R addresses this shift by developing reliable mouse and human CIVMs for preclinical studies, aiming to replace, reduce and refine the use of animal models. Through standardised protocols and robust validation procedures - including via the use of imaging technologies - the project will create state-of-the-art in vitro models from mouse disease models. The project will establish a comprehensive repository of preclinical resources, ensure open access, and foster collaboration between the participating research infrastructures and the biomedical industry.

Launching the project

The project partners came together for the kickoff meeting of the project on 30th of April 2025 to plan the initial phase of implementation of the project, organise the project structure, discuss important technical questions, and get to know each other. With a runtime of 3 years, the ambitious project is now ready to get underway.

Euro-BioImaging participation in CIVM validation

Two Euro-BioImaging Nodes are directly participating in the project as development partners, providing advanced imaging services for the validation of the developed CIVMs. 

The team of Morten Nielsen  from Aarhus University, part of the Danish BioImaging Node are contributing to the development of a model for respiratory infections with high-throughput microscopy and analysis in collaboration with the  Infrafrontier center in France (CIPHE).

The imaging facility of the Institute for Physiology at the Czech Academy of Sciences, part of the Prague Node, under the leadership of Daniel Hadraba, will provide label-free imaging expertise to developers of a model of bioprinted muscle fibres in a tumor-on-chip model of cancer cachexia.

Additional imaging services - both for validating additional CIVMs as well as for the mouse models to compare them to - will be provided by other Nodes in the course of the projects, depending on the needs of the developments.

The Euro-BioImaging ERIC Hub will support its Nodes in their participation in the project, contribute to the compilation of PRIM-TECH3R in vitro resource database and FAIRification of produced data. We will also work on the concepts for common access pathways to the new joint service pipeline between Infrafrontier, BBMRI and Euro-BioImaging that is being  developed in the course of the project and their sustainability. The ERICs will also exchange experiences around engaging with industry users of RI services.

We look forward to working with all project partners on these exciting new developments and making new tools for disease characterisation and treatment development openly accessible to the community.

Infrafrontier conference

The PRIM-TECH3R kick-off meeting followed the Infrafrontier community conference, which as held on April 28-29, focussing on Rare Disease research. The conference featured many fascinating presentations from researchers working on a wide range of rare diseases, trying to understand the mechanisms behind them and developing novel treatment approaches.

From the generation of mouse models for these rare diseases to translational studies and clinical drug-repurposing to treat children suffering from rare neurodevelopmental diseases, the program brought together a range of outstanding European researchers and experts from the Infrafrontier community.

There was also a session on European Resources for which the hosts had invited fellow ERICs BBMRI, EU-OPENSCREEN, and Euro-BioImaging to share their services and opportunities with the assembled research community. The session sparked a lot of active discussion around training needs, visibility of opportunities, and the need for standardisation of protocols and data formats.. 

Article written by Johanna Bischof