ART Methods: Expanding the 3R’s Into Training

Lab animal use goes beyond research, and we are finding new ways to replace them

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Laboratory animals are not just used for research. For researchers and technicians to conduct life-saving medical research, they also have to be trained in common practices like blood draws, tumor measurement, dissection, and many others. As industry moves towards replacing as many animals as possible with alternatives, training has also evolved to include alternative replacement training (ART) methods.

Alternative replacement training not only supports the 3Rs of ethical animal research (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement), it also helps employees by taking some of the stress out of first-time skills training. Practicing on a simulation model or a virtual reality mouse helps trainees focus on learning the task, without the emotional stress of using a live animal. 

“ART methods go beyond new technology,” said April George, DVM and manager of Charles River’s DSA Global Operations Learning & Development. “They include videos and images that show a trainee a skill for the first time, training models that can be purchased or made, job shadowing, etc.”

3D Printed Mice for Training

One option for alternatives is 3D printed animal models.

“New training technologies are evolving every day and are transforming how skills are learned and practiced,” said George. “This type of experiential learning is widely used in veterinary education, and it is incredibly exciting to see it successfully adopted within the research world.”

There are several approaches to 3D printing, but the most accurate is to scan mice to use as a template, modifying as needed with the 3D modeling software that comes with whichever printer a site acquires. The initial setup costs can vary, but once a program is going, the printing itself can be minimal. 

For example, a real mouse can be used as a template for cardiac puncture training. Once the artificial mouse is printed, a reusable balloon with fluid can be placed in the chest cavity and sealed with parafilm. The trainee can practice on the same printed mouse numerous times just by swapping in a new balloon.

Anatomage Tables

Anatomage Inc., a medical equipment company from California, has created several medical simulation products for academic settings that could be adapted for industry training. Their Anatomage Tables offer versatile, interactive 3D renderings of many different species. While less hands-on than a 3D printed model, the table offers an immersive anatomical view to help train anatomical basics and visualize vessels, tissue, and structural elements prior to surgical training.

Virtual Reality

The oldest of the three replacement technologies described here is virtual reality and augmented reality, though we have come a long way since Johnny Mnemonic. 

First, to understand the difference between virtual reality and augmented reality, imagine an Oculus headset versus the brief fad for Google glasses. One covers your vision entirely, immersing you in a completely virtual visual world. The other overlays computer generated images on vision of your real environment. As you look through the clear glasses at your real surroundings, the headset projects information in front of you, augmenting your vision.

A full virtual reality set can show a trainee delicate procedures recorded from real examples. The trainer can wear a camera to record themselves performing surgical tasks as part of their daily work, eliminating the need to use an animal just for practice. 

Similarly, an augmented reality headset can be used by a trainee to guide them through a procedure. With the help of a real or virtual trainer, the headset can see what the trainee sees and guide them through a scenario on a real or virtual animal or object.

“The future of simulation training is incredibly exciting,” George said. “As I look ahead, I believe that simulation will continue to expand, offering creative, immersive experiences that resonate with our workforce. It has been inspiring to see employees lean into the 3Rs with such enthusiasm and creativity, finding new ways to make learning meaningful and engaging. In particular, the younger generation—raised in a world of gaming and interactive technology—responds naturally to this approach, bringing energy and curiosity that elevates our learning culture.”