“The future of 3R research”. Barbara Halstenberg's interview with Prof. Stefan Hippenstiel, spokesperson for the Einstein Center 3R, published in the BUA supplement of the Berliner Tagesspiegel on June 6, 2025, is about nothing less.
In the interview, Prof. Hippenstiel explains the 3R concept, how the number of animal experiments can be reduced through high-tech alternatives and why animal experiments cannot be dispensed with in the foreseeable future.
It is about "organoids", mini-organs made from human stem cells, which are already partially replacing animal experiments, particularly in drug research, but still require further development in many respects: either because they still lack important cell types such as immune or nerve cells, or because their maturation from pluripotent stem cells is complex and therefore prone to errors. Last but not least, it is also about 3R research as a driver of innovation in Berlin as a science location.
To conclude the interview, Prof. Hippenstiel formulates his vision for the future of the Einstein Center 3R:
"My vision: the Einstein Center 3R will itself become a model for scientific change. It is crucial to involve young scientists who are open to new approaches. This requires the courage to leave familiar paths."
Click here for the Tagesspiegel article.
Click here for the entire BUA supplement.