Beyond REMODEL: 3R models for biomedical research

26-27 April 2023 | i3S, Porto

WELCOME

Models are essential in biomedical research. To understand gene function or disease mechanisms, we need model systems that replicate important aspects of the living body but which can be manipulated and experimented upon. The discussion of the ethics of animal experimentation puts the question of models in focus. The enormous advances in bioengineering and stem cell research means that the traditional dichotomy between simple in-vitro models and complex animal models no longer holds true. More complex in-vitro models hold the potential to replace some animal experimentation and reduce animal numbers as a whole. At the same time, animals remain important models – and with that the ethical questions of how they are used and whether methods can be refined. 

Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement of animal experimentation form the 3Rs – a guiding principle for this conference. It is the final conference of the REMODEL project and the launch event for the newly formed 3R Knowledge Center, but above all Beyond REMODEL: 3R models for biomedical research is a unique opportunity to showcase 3Rs related research in Portugal!
 

Poster >> 

The meeting will be held at i3S – Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto.
Rua Alfredo Allen, 208; 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
Tel: +351 220 408 800 | Site: http://www.i3s.up.pt/ | E-mail: events@i3s.up.pt
GPS coordinates: 41º 10’ 30.008’’ N, 8º 36’ 12.488’’ W.
 

Coordinators: Anna Olsson, i3S and Marta Alves da Silva, i3S

The conference will include sessions on advanced in-vitro model techniques such as organoids, microfluidics, and organ-on-a-chip, high throughput screening, refinement of animal-based research, scientific validity and good experimental practice, and strategies for promoting the 3Rs. 
The event is open for abstract submissions for posters and selected oral presentations. 

Program REMODEL final conference

26^th April

9h30 Welcome Address and REMODEL project outcomes
Anna Olsson, i3S

10h00 PLENARY SESSION   
In vitro and in silico tools for biomedical research 
Arti Ahluwalia, University of Pisa (online talk)

10h45 Stepping into in-vivo like drug discovery with organoids
André Maia, i3S

11h15 Coffee Break

Session on humanized non-animal models
11h45 Filipe Pinto, i3S
12h15 Jorge Lima, i3S

12h45 Lunch

14h00 3RS session and launching of 3RKC

14h15 PLENARY SESSION   
António Jacinto, NOVA Medical School

Session on Strategies for replacement and reduction
15h00 Daniel Ferreira, i3S
15h25 Estrela Neto, i3S
15h50 Marta Alves da Silva, i3S

Session on Strategies for Refinement
16h10 Reduction and refinement examples from the i3S animal facility: from animal sharing systems to reducing severity of Covid-19 models
Sofia Lamas, i3S

16h35 Ana Maria Valentim, i3S

16h55 Coffee Break

17h15 -18h15 ROUND TABLE: 
The role of humanized non-animal models in biomedical research
Chair: Claudio Sunkel, i3S

Participants:
- Patrícia Patrício, Health Cluster Portugal
- Isabel Carvalho, CNPPAFC
- Meriem Lamghari, i3S
- More participants TBA

27^th April
 
SELECTED ORAL COMMUNICATIONS 
9h00 Generation of ex-vivo 3D organoid culture from surgically-derived tissue of paediatric brain tumours
Bárbara Ferreira, i3S

9h15 Alginate-based hydrogels for the formation of microvascular networks from vascular spheroids 
Flora Vivensang, i3S

9h30 HAPILLNESS – An animal welfare friendly tool to re(de)fine oral drug dosing in preclinical assays 
Inês Preguiça, iCBR

9h45 The CAM - An In Vivo assay coming out of the shell 
Marta Teixeira Pinto, i3S

10h00 Multi-functional and cell-responsive alginate hydrogel for bioengineering 3D physiomimetic matrices 
Silvia Bidarra, i3S

10h15 Coffee Break and Poster Session

11h15 PLENARY SESSION   
Silvia Mihaila, Utrecht University

12h00 ROUND TABLE: 
Training and capacity building in non-animal models – status and perspectives
Chairs: Júlio Borlido Santos, i3S and Anna Olsson, i3S

Participants:
- Silvia Mihaila, Utrecht University
- Nuno Franco, ETPLAS
- Fernando Monteiro, FEUP and i3S
- Artur Ribeiro, CEB, UMinho
- More speakers TBA

13h00 Farewell

Speakers include researchers from the REMODEL project, 3Rs award-winning Portuguese researchers, and additional experts on 3Rs and advanced in-vitro models. 
The final speaker list will be announced soon.
 

We invite and welcome the submission of scientific work using replacement, refinement, and/ or reduction (3Rs) models in the biomedical field.
The call for abstracts will be open until 5th March (notification of acceptance until 6th March). The abstract will be evaluated and selected either for oral communication (10 minutes each followed by up to 2 minute-discussion) or poster communication. 
The authors should follow the layout format of the template available:
 

Abstract template >>

Abstract submission form >>

Registration fees:

Students: Registration is free but mandatory.
Non-students: 30€

Registration deadline: 20^th March 2023 | Payment deadline: 27^th March 2023

Registration form >> 

Walking distance to i3S
 

Hotel Ibis São João **
Rua Dr. Plácido Costa | 4200-450 Porto
Website:  www.ibis.com/pt
Telephone: (+351) 225 513 100
E-mail: H3227@ACCOR.COM
Walking distance: 10 minutes

Axis Porto - Business & SPA Hotel ****
Rua Maria Feliciana, 100 - São Mamede de Infesta | 4465-283 Matosinhos - Porto
Website:  www.axishoteis.com/pt/Axis-Hoteis/Hoteis/Axis-Porto/O-Hotel.aspx
Phone: (+351) 229 052 000
E-mail: reservas@axisporto.com
Walking distance: 25 minutes

Eurostars Oporto Hotel ****
Rua do Mestre Guilherme Camarinha, 212 | 4200-537 Porto
Website: www.eurostarsoporto.com/
Phone: (+351) 225 072 090
E-mail: reservas@eurostarsoporto.com
Walking distance: 15 minutes

Accessible by subway from Porto city center

Hotel Porto Moov Centro **
Praça da Batalha 32, 4000-101 Porto
Website: hotelmoov.com/
Telephone: (+351) 220 407 000
E-mail: portocentro@hotelmoov.com
Average time: 20 minutes

Pão de Açucar Hotel ***
Rua do Almada, 262 | 4050-032 Porto 
Website:  www.paodeacucarhotel.pt/
Telephone: (+351) 222 002 425 / 222 011 589
E-mail: respaodeacucar@gmail.com
Average time: 15 minutes

Legendary Porto Hotel ***
Praça da Batalha, 127-130 | 4000-102 Porto
Website:  www.legendaryportohotel.com/ 
Telephone: (+351) 223 392 300 
E-mail:  legendaryportohotel@continentalhotels.eu
Average time: 20 minutes

Trindade Porto Hotel ****
Rua de Camões, nº 129 / 131 | 4000-144 Porto
Website:  www.portotrindadehotel.com/conteudos/hotel1/1
Telephone: (+351) 222 061 520
E-mail: geral@portotrindadehotel.com
Average time: 15 minutes

THIS EVENT IS ORGANIZED IN COLLABORATION WITH THE REMODEL PROJECT WHICH HAS RECEIVED FUNDING FROM THE EUROPEAN UNION’S HORIZON 2020 RESEARCH AND INNOVATION PROGRAM UNDER GRANT AGREEMENT NO 7857491.

More information: 
Events Management Unit | Rua Alfredo Allen 208 | 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
Email: events@i3s.up.pt | Tel: +351 226 074 900