Summer University 2025 at FU Berlin | Biomedical research: Are organoids an alternative to animal testing?

A group of pupils stands in front of a board covered with colorful sticky notes and shares the results of their discussions.
3R Workshop at the Summer University 2025, FU Berlin

This year, the FU Summer University once again offered a well-attended course on biomedical research with a focus on the 3Rs. The course was led by Dr. Laura Behm (Charité 3R, ReThink3R) and was aimed at students in grade 10 and above. 

Topics covered in the course, which took place from September 1-3, 2025, at the FU Berlin:

  • Is animal testing still ethically justifiable today? 
  • Why is animal testing actually carried out?
  • What alternatives are there to animal testing?
  • How can animal testing be used responsibly and sparingly?

After an introduction to organoids and other alternative methods, as well as the use of animal testing in research, the students were asked to take the initiative.
With the help of the “design thinking” innovation method, they explored the topic of animal testing and alternative methods in interactive teamwork, in contact with scientists and using virtual reality glasses. In the process, they were able to practice important skills such as critical thinking, creativity, and teamwork. On the third day, the students were able to experience the work on refinement and bone-on-a-chip models live at the German Center for the Protection of Laboratory Animals (Bf3R).

Thanks also go to Dr. Maren Hülsemann (co-trainer), Prof. Moritz Queisner (VR glasses), and Dr. Kai Diederich (organization at Bf3R) for their support.