Welcome to the Hamburg Center of 3R Research (HC3R)!

The Hamburg Center of 3R Research (HC3R) at the UKE aims to further develop and promote innovative animal-free research methods. The HC3R serves as a platform for all 3R-related activities within the UKE and brings together researchers from various institutes and clinics who are working to reduce dependence on animal models in research. This network pools individual research approaches and promotes the exchange of expertise, resources and technologies between departments and researchers. Networking with other approaches in the national and international environment is another focus of the centre. The HC3R provides information on funding opportunities specifically for 3R research. In addition, training courses and extracurricular lessons on the importance and integration of the 3R Principle are in the planning stage.

3R Principles

The 3R Principles of Replace, Reduce and Refine are considered essential ethical guidelines for improving animal welfare in scientific research. While Refinement in particular aims to minimize and, where possible, avoid the suffering of animals used in research , the principles of Reduction and Replacement are aimed at promoting research into new and more comprehensive animal-free alternatives.

The European Directive 2010/63/EU on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes has provided a legal framework for the 3R Principles since 2010. With the Animal Welfare Act of 2013 in Germany, the 3R Principles were incorporated into German law.