UK scientist wins NC3Rs prize
For improving the welfare of laboratory mice
Prizewinner Jane Hurst's research has shown that a new way of handling laboratory mice can improve their welfare and the quality of the science they are used for.
Laboratory mice are usually picked up by their tails, which according to Hurst's study causes high levels of anxiety and stress to the animals that can influence the outcome of experiments. By simply catching the mice using a plastic tunnel or cupped hands anxiety can be greatly reduced.
The number of mice used in the UK annually is approximately 2.6 million.
Hurst, from the University of Liverpool, received a £10,000 prize grant, which is sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), plus a personal award of £1,000. She plans to use the prize to provide training for scientists and animal care staff on handling methods and also to assess the effects of different handling methods on stress physiology.
‘I hope our research will be universally implemented across laboratories to improve animal welfare for all mice and to minimise the effects of handling on experiments. This is a small change that is easily applied and will make a big difference to animal welfare,’ she said.
The NC3Rs prize recognises and rewards excellence in research that helps to reduce the number and suffering of animals used for scientific purposes.
The Wellcome Trust and NC3Rs also funded the research.
The research was published in Nature Methods magazine.
You may also like
Manufacturing
Domino demonstrates an integrated approach to next-generation coding at Interpack 2026
At Interpack 2026, Domino Printing Sciences (Domino) will focus on the key challenges manufacturers face as variable data printing enters a new era shaped by 2D codes, intelligent automation, sustainability, and growing traceability demands. Domino specialists will be available throughout the show to highlight integrated solutions designed to work together on the factory floor – developed in collaboration with key industry partners to help to reduce complexity, risk, and operational friction for manufacturers
Research & Development
From lab to launch: transforming pharmaceutical formulation development with GEA’s CFC Lab Coater
A new generation of continuous film coating technology is giving R&D teams the speed, precision and scalability they need to take products from the laboratory to commercial production without the traditional bottlenecks
Manufacturing
Bristol Myers Squibb licenses Lonza ADC linker-payload technology for undisclosed target
BMS has secured exclusive access to Lonza’s SYNtecan linker-payload platform, alongside GlycoConnect and HydraSpace technologies, to advance development of an antibody-drug conjugate against an undisclosed target
Manufacturing
Former Catalent Chair and CEO George Fotiades joins eXmoor Pharma board as Chair
Angela Osborne steps back from operational duties and continues as Founder and Board Director, providing strategic continuity as eXmoor builds the leadership depth to support its expanding integrated CDMO model