University of Dundee University of Dundee
Text only
         
Search
 
 
 
 

23 January 2007

NC3R prize to Dundee Scientists working on Neglected Tropical Diseases

Scientists working on new drug treatments for leishmaniasis have won this year’s NC3R prize for reducing animal suffering in research. The National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3R) awarded the prize to Professor Fairlamb and his colleague Dr Susan Wyllie for their refinement of techniques used to propagate leishmania parasites in hamsters.

The prize was awarded by Joan Ryan MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Immigration, Citizenship & Nationality, at the Annual Stakeholder Meeting of the National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs).

The recipient of the £10k GlaxoSmithKline-sponsored prize, Professor Alan Fairlamb, University of Dundee, works on new treatments for visceral leishmaniasis, also known as Black Fever, which is the second-largest parasitic killer in the world after malaria. In his research, Professor Fairlamb and his colleague Dr Susan Wyllie infect hamsters with the parasite Leishmania donovani which causes visceral leishmaniasis. By using a different route of infection, the duration and severity of the disease in the hamster was reduced without compromising the quality of the scientific outcome.

Dr Vicky Robinson, chief executive of the NC3Rs, said: "Now in its second year, the 3Rs Prize is a great way to showcase the kind of research that the NC3Rs encourages and supports. Professor Fairlamb’s work is an excellent example of how small changes to the day-to-day work of a researcher can have a positive impact on both the welfare of the animals used and the science being carried out."

Joan Ryan said: "The work carried out by the NC3Rs, and scientists such as Professor Fairlamb, is critical in pushing forward scientific research techniques so that we only use animals in scientific research where it is absolutely necessary, and that where we do, their welfare is ensured"

Professor Fairlamb said: "We are honoured and delighted to receive this award. The award money will be used to develop a simple, sensitive and specific urine test that can be used to measure the efficacy of experimental drug treatments in animals, as well as for use in diagnosing and monitoring treatment in patients".

It is the duty of all scientists involved in medical and veterinary research to find alternatives to animal experiments, to reduce the number of animals used and to refine experimental techniques to minimise animal suffering when no suitable alternatives exist."

Leishmania parasites cause a wide spectrum of human diseases and are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in 88 countries in the Americas, Africa, Asia and Southern Europe. Millions of people are at risk, with 400,000 new cases each year and an annual death toll of 59,000. Despite recent advances in understanding, treatment remains problematic and often ineffective. New drugs and more effective treatments are now a matter of urgency and there is currently a proliferation of anti-Leishmania drug development underway.

At present, one component of drug development is reproducing the infection in an animal model, in this case the hamster is the most appropriate species. In refining this widely used animal model, Professor Fairlamb has identified ways to reduce the impact of infection on the animal itself, as demonstrated by a shorter length of infection and less severe symptoms.

In his research, Professor Fairlamb compared the commonly-used intracardial route of infection with the intraperitoneal route. The results showed that the intraperitoneal route is a simpler, safer and effective method of inoculating the hamsters.

At the Annual Stakeholder Meeting the NC3Rs Annual Report 2006 was also launched. This document, entitled ‘A year of progress’, acts as a report for the Science Minister and other stakeholders and highlights the significant successes that the Centre has achieved over the past 12 months.

NOTES FOR EDITORS:

1. The 3Rs Prize, which is sponsored by GlaxoSmithKline, was awarded to Professor Alan Fairlamb from the University of Dundee, by Joan Ryan MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Immigration, Citizenship & Nationality. The prize is awarded in recognition of a piece of published work that advances, or has the potential to advance, knowledge in the 3Rs. The prize was presented at the Annual Stakeholder Meeting of the NC3Rs on Tuesday 23 January 2007.

2. The Annual Report 2006 of the NC3Rs was also launched at the Annual Stakeholder Meeting. Copies are available on request in print or electronic form.

3. The prize-winner was selected by an independent panel of experts:

  • Lord Turnberg (Chair), Chair, NC3Rs Board
  • Professor Robert Combes, Director, FRAME
  • Professor Paul Flecknell, Director, Comparative Biology Centre, University of Newcastle
  • Dr Stella Hurtley, Senior Editor, Science
  • Professor Ian Kimber, Head of Research, Syngenta Central Toxicology Laboratory
  • Professor Clive Page, Professor of Pharmacology, King's College London and Director of the Sackler Institute of Pulmonary Pharmacology
  • Dr Ian Ragan, Executive Consultant European Scientific Affairs, Eli Lilly
  • Dr Mark Walport, Director, The Wellcome Trust

4. The full reference for Professor Fairlamb’s prize-winning research is: Wyllie, S. and Fairlamb, A. H. Refinement of techniques for the propogation of Leishmania donovani in hamsters. Acta Trop. 2006 Mar;97 (3):364-369

5. The National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) provides a UK focus for the promotion, development and implementation of the 3Rs in animal research and testing. It brings together stakeholders from academia, industry, government and animal welfare organisations to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas, and the translation of research findings into practice that will benefit both animals and science.

The Centre funds high-quality 3Rs research, organises workshops and symposia to disseminate and advance the 3Rs, and develops 3Rs information resources and guidelines. It is an independent organisation, reporting to the Science Minister and stakeholders through the publication of an annual report, and is funded by the Home Office, the Medical Research Council, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, the Wellcome Trust, the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry, Syngenta, The Dow Chemical Company, SC Johnson, and Unilever. More information can be found here: www.nc3rs.org.uk

For further information contact:
Tim Watson
Communications Manager
NC3Rs, London
Tel: 020 7670 5265
Mob: 07866 288456