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The received a major update. The database has been transferred to the online environment of Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ and the user-friendliness has been improved. Also, the database now showcases direct links to commercially available products and to the scientific articles where FCS-free alternatives are documented.

The FCS-free Database serves as a platform for researchers seeking to navigate through FCS-free alternatives

The 3Rs Centre Utrecht (3RCU) aims to promote and develop replacements for animal experiments and/or New Approach Methods (NAMs). However, many of these use Fetal Calf Serum (FCS) in their protocols. ‘Using FCS is accompanied by major ethical and scientific concerns’ says Jeffrey Bajramovic, the Centre’s director. ‘Fortunately, there are plenty of excellent alternatives available. The serves as a platform for researchers seeking to navigate through FCS-free alternatives.’

With financial help of the Triodos Foundation, a 3RCU team worked on the update and transfer of the three existing databases (the FCS-free and Interspecies Databases, and the Humane-Endpoints website). The launch of the new is the first major result from this project.

Knowing the ethical and scientific concerns of FCS, I was very grateful to be involved in this project

In the past half year, Solène Feyzi helped to restructure the database, to add new company’s media and to review the recent literature available. Also, she was in charge of optimizing the database’s interface in the online environment of Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ. ‘Diving into such vast amounts of literature was an extensive challenge, I’ll have to admit. On the other hand, it was inspiring to see how much work has been put in developing FCS-free alternatives. Knowing the ethical and scientific concerns of FCS, I was very grateful to be involved in this project. I also have to express my gratitude towards Simon Welling, ICT developer within Utrecht ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ. Simon was really cooperative and managed to transfer the database to the UU online environment both quickly and accurately’

The is part of a larger programme of the 3RCU that aims to reduce the use of FCS in biomedical research. Last year, we ran a social media campaign presenting seven scientific arguments to stop using FCS for cell culture (link). Also, we collaborate with the ľ¹Ï¸£ÀûÓ°ÊÓ of Applied Sciences Utrecht to further test different serum-free alternatives (). Results from this collaboration will reach the international research community via the, now updated, .