With its expertise in the field of fish cell research, the Fish Growth Physiology research group, headed by PD Dr. Bianka Grunow, is actively committed to animal welfare and develops animal-friendly and practical alternatives to animal experiments.
Federal Network 3Rs: A strong network for animal-free research
Membership of the network enables the FBN to expand its research in line with the 3Rs principle of 'Replace, Reduce, Refine', to share expertise with other 3R researchers, to establish non-animal methods in fish research and to develop innovative approaches for the aquaculture industry with partners. Since 2022, the network has offered a nationwide interdisciplinary platform for the exchange of alternative methods to reduce or replace animal testing in the long term.
Cell-based research as an alternative to animal experiments in fish biology
Since its foundation in 2018, the research group has been pursuing the goal of establishing cell-based research in fish biology in the long term. The focus is on the establishment and further development of fish cell lines that make it possible to investigate biological processes at the cellular level without having to rely on live animals. With currently 50 established cell lines from 15 different fish species, which are stored in special nitrogen tanks, the research group has achieved a pioneering position in Germany.
“With our cell lines, we can investigate many physiological processes, such as the effects of temperature changes, directly at cell level. This is not only a big step for animal welfare, but also for the flexibility of scientific research,” explains PD Dr. Bianka Grunow, head of the Fish Growth Physiology research group at the FBN.
3R expertise in practice: improving pikeperch rearing
Animal welfare is also of crucial importance to the industry. This is demonstrated by the research group's collaboration with the aquaculture industry, e.g. in the pikeperch lordosis project. The aim of the project is to investigate the causes of a distorted spinal development in pikeperch. These deformations occur frequently, impair the growth of the fish and reduce their viability. By optimising the keeping of pikeperch larvae and young fish, such deformities are to be prevented. This not only improves the health of the animals, but also promotes their well-being.
“With the ‘pikeperch lordosis’ project, we are combining basic research on our cell lines with practical application in aquaculture. By working together with the industry, we can directly translate scientific findings into improved husbandry conditions. In this way, we promote animal welfare and at the same time create a more sustainable basis for pikeperch breeding,” continues Grunow.
Vision for the future: fish research under 3R aspects
The work of the Fish Growth Physiology Group at the FBN is an important step towards an animal-free future for fish research and at the same time provides decisive impetus for the development of animal-friendly husbandry methods in aquaculture. The partnership with the federal government's 3R initiative, the involvement in the pikeperch lordosis project and the development of new cell lines are just a few examples of how the FBN is setting new standards for animal welfare and science.
About the FBN:
The Research Institute for Farm Animal Biology (FBN), based in Dummerstorf near Rostock in the federal state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (formerly the Research Institute for the Biology of Farm Animals), was founded in 1993 and is dedicated to application-oriented basic research in the field of farm animal biology. Around 300 employees carry out interdisciplinary research and work in the four focus areas: Individualising farm animal husbandry, farming animals in sustainable resource cycles, coping with critical life phases of farm animals and promoting diversity in animal farming. The aim is to research responsible animal farming as an indispensable component of sustainable agriculture. The animal is the focus of scientific research, from the genome to metabolism and behaviour.
Research Institute of Farm Animal Biology (FBN)
Wilhelm-Stahl-Allee 2, 18196 Dummerstorf
Head of research group Fish Growth Physiology
PD Dr Bianka Grunow
T +49 38208-68 861
E grunow{at}fbn-dummerstorf.de
Press and public relations
Jan Ostermayer
T +49 38208-68 605
E presse{at}fbn-dummerstorf.de
www.fbn-dummerstorf.de
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