The 3Rs and animal welfare: insights into animal research and alternative methods
In collaboration with Life Science Zurich, the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich invite secondary school classes and other interested groups to gain first-hand insight into animal-based research. In addition to laboratories where animals are used, other facilities open their doors – such as the Laboratory Animal Services Centre, which is responsible for the breeding, housing and care of laboratory mice and rats. Visitors can also have the opportunity to tour research units that are working on alternatives to animal testing and implementing the 3Rs principles (Replace, Reduce, Refine), with the aim of developing less invasive and more responsible research approaches.
The tours demonstrate how research involving animals is regulated by law, how animal welfare is put into practice in day-to-day research, and how universities support progress towards responsible research that takes animal welfare into account. At the same time, there is the tours provide ample opportunity for discussion and for visitors to ask questions.
The following labs and centers are offering tours
UZH Laboratory Animal Services Center: Breeding and housing of laboratory animals
The Laboratory Animal Centre (LASC) is the University of Zurich’s central centre of excellence for the breeding, housing and care of laboratory animals. It provides state-of-the-art housing facilities for around 65,000–75,000 laboratory animals, mostly rodents, with very high standards of hygiene and animal welfare. The LASC supports researchers with issues relating to the care and use of laboratory animals, as well as animal husbandry and veterinary medicine. The welfare of laboratory animals lies at the heart of the work of the LASC's nearly 100 staff members, who work in areas such as animal care, veterinary services, logistics, IT and administration.
- Locacion: Wagistrasse 13a, UZH Campus Schlieren
- Length: approx. 2.5 hours
- Group size: max. 8 people
- Dates: on request
- More about the LASC here
UZH Department of Molecular Life Sciences - Neurobiology: Investigating human diseases using zebrafish
They are only a few centimetres long and seem unremarkable, yet they are invaluable to basic research: zebrafish. The neurobiologist Stephan Neuhauss uses them as model organisms to investigate fundamental biological processes such as eye development, as well as diseases of the visual system and the brain.
- Location: UZH Campus Irchel
- Length: approx. 2 hours
- Group size: 1 group of approx. 20 people; guided tour of the fish room/laboratory in groups of up to 8 people (simultaneous tours for 2 to 3 groups are possible)
- Dates: Wednesday afternoons upon arrangement
- More about the insitute here
UZH Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology: Fundamental research into energy metabolism in the brains of mice
The Experimental Imaging and Brain Metabolism research group is investigating how nerve cells satisfy their high energy demands, which other cells support them in doing so, and the role of blood flow. Using high-resolution microscopy on mice with small windows implanted in their brains, the researchers are studying various processes in order to improve our fundamental understanding of these mechanisms, as well as to gain insight into what happens when these processes are disrupted.
- Location: UZH Campus Irchel
- Length: approx. 2 hours
- Group size: max. 8–12 people; lab tours in smaller groups of 4–5 people
- Dates: upon request
- More about the research group here
ETH Animal Nutrition Research Group at AgroVet Strickhof - Nutritional Physiology and Metabolism of Farm Animals
The ETH Animal Nutrition Research Group at AgroVet-Strickhof in Lindau investigates the nutritional physiology, metabolism, and feeding strategies of livestock with a strong focus on sustainability, animal health, and efficient resource use. Visitors gain insights into ongoing experiments, analytical methods, and interdisciplinary research linking animal science, agricultural systems, and environmental impact. Tours include selected laboratory and research areas and provide the opportunity for direct discussion with scientists. Tours are offered in English by default, unless German is specifically requested.
- Ort: AgroVet-Strickhof, Eschikon 27, 8315 Lindau (ZH)
- Length: 2.5 hours
- Group size: Typically suitable for groups of up to 10–15 participants. Larger groups can be accommodated in split groups, depending on the topic and space availability.
- Dates: upon request
- more about the research group here