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Calls for replacement of animals in antibody production
lab mouse
The latest UK stats on animal use in scientific experiments show 9,500 animals were used for antibody production in 2013.
Animal-friendly alternative to animals being overlooked, scientists say
 
Scientists studying the production of antibodies say millions of animals are still being used in routine scientific procedures when there is a tried and tested alternative.

Writing in the Cell Press journal Trends in Biotechnology, the international group of scientists said an animal friendly technique for antibody production that uses bacteriophage viruses rather than live animals, is being overlooked. Yet they believe it has enormous potential to reduce animal use.

Dr Alison Gray, a visiting researcher at the University of Nottingham, explained: "The antibody-based tests that are commonly used in society appear to be far removed from animal experimentation since no animals were directly tested on.

"However, the target molecule to be detected is repeatedly injected into the animal, initiating an immune response. Months later, the animal is euthanased and antibodies to that molecule are extracted and incorporated into an in vitro, 'animal-free' test. So in reality, we are not replacing animals but substituting methods."

It should be the ultimate aim of scientists in this field to replace the use of animals in research and industry, she added, but there is a lack of awareness about this technology.

"The 20 year old advanced technology called ‘phage display’ which uses bacteriophage viruses to produce monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies is available and cost-effective and can replace a huge number of animals. In fact this technology has grown to a level of scientific sophistication that outweighs obsolete and outdated animal immunisation protocols."

The latest UK stats on animal use in scientific experiments show 9,500 animals were used for antibody production in 2013, but as the reporting techniques in subsequent reports are different, Dr Gray says we cannot know how many animals have been used in more recent years.

Dr Andrew Bennett, director of the Fund for the Replacement of Animals in Medical Experiments (FRAME) laboratory, commented on the research.

"The paper by Dr Gray and her colleagues highlights the unusual situation in terms of antibody production. Antibodies can be made without using animals and the technology is both accessible and robust; yet thousands of animals are killed each year in commercial antibody production."

Aside from the unnecessary use of animals, there is also another issue - the quality of antibodies raised in animals for scientific research. Dr Bennett said a "substantial proportion" of these either perform poorly or do not work. He added: "Phage display technology has the potential to produce more specific and better functioning antibodies than traditional animal based methods. FRAME will be working with and supporting Dr Gray in order to promote the use of phage display technology in the future."

Scientists from the universities of Nottingham, Toronto, Utrecht and Lund in Sweden are proposing a seven-point, EU-led plan to tackle the issue.

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Webinar to explore AMR in vet dentistry

News Story 1
 The WSAVA has invited veterinary professionals to a webinar on responsible antibiotic usage in dentistry.

On 19 November 2025, at 1am, Dr J Scott Weese and Dr Brooke Niemiec will share the latest advice for antimicrobial use. They will present research on oral bacterology, and explain how attendees can choose appropriate antibiotics.

The session will cover pre-, intra- and post-operative guidelines, with recommendations for various pathologies.

The webinar is designed to support veterinary professionals to make informed decisions and tackle antimicrobial resistance.

Attendees can register here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue reaches Wales for first time in 2025

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has revealed that bluetongue has been confirmed in Wales for the first time in 2025.

In their latest statistics, APHA records a total of 109 cases of BTV-3 or BTV-8 in Great Britain in the 2025-2026 vector season.

The total number of BTV-3 cases in Great Britain this season is 107. This includes 103 cases within the England restricted zone and four cases in Wales.

There has also been two cases of BTV-8, which were both in Cornwall.

As a result of the cases in Wales, a Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) is enforced in Monmouthshire. Animals can move freely under general license within the England Restricted Zone, however animals with suspected bluetongue must stay on their holding.

All premises testing positive for blue tongue can be viewed on this map.