MRC/NC3Rs to support interdiscliplinary research clusters on in vitro models of complex disease

The NC3Rs is collaborating with the MRC, in partnership with Wellcome, BBSRC and EPSRC, to support interdisciplinary research clusters to drive the development, validation and/or adaptation of human in vitro models of complex disease that can replace the use of animals in academia and/or industry. Research clusters could include bioengineers, biologists, biophysicists, clinicians, computational scientists and industry scientists and should focus on disease areas of high unmet need and/or address common needs to impact multiple fields.  

The aim of the call is to generate clusters which will:

• Improve understanding of human disease mechanisms and better support therapeutic development for disease intervention.
• Overcome limitations of current in vivo and in vitro models to represent human pathophysiology and disease heterogeneity.
• Accelerate the development, validation and uptake of technologies and methods to accurately and reproducibly model human disease and reduce the reliance on animal models.

It is anticipated that up to five clusters will be funded from the total fund of £15M. The duration of each awarded cluster is expected to be four years.

Full applications open November 5, 2024 to March 20, 2025.
Expression of interest closes December 6, 2024.

More information: https://nc3rs.org.uk/mrcnc3rs-novel-human-vitro-models-complex-disease