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21.05.2025CCiTUB participate in conferences on Research Committees and In Vivo Experimentation
During the month of May, PhD. T. Rodrigo attended, as a recognized expert, two very important meetings concerning the InVivo Experimentation Unit of CCiTUB and the support for the Research Committees of the University of Barcelona.
On one hand, on May 6, the “LERU Protection of Animals used for Scientific Purposes Policy Group Meeting”. The aim of the working group was to discuss all aspects of breeding animals for life sciences research, with a particular emphasis on refinement, reduction, and replacement of animal models. Currently, the group is focusing on colony management and contributing to the proposed ERA action on non-animal methods, as well as improving students' communication skills in this area.
On the other hand, the XIV Meeting of the Network of Ethics Committees of Universities and Public Bodies of Spain (RCE) was held. The RCE network was established in 2002 at the initiative of the University of Barcelona, with the goal of providing common, agreed-upon operational guidelines for the various Ethics Committees, enabling them to share resources and exchange information and experiences. From May 7 to 9, the University of Girona hosted this meeting, where committees from Spanish universities and other public bodies gathered to disseminate and promote debate within the university community on bioethical issues of general interest. As in previous editions, the aim was to make this a participatory event where attendees could interact, exchange ideas, and actively engage in the scheduled workshops and round tables. Finally, current topics were discussed and shared, focusing on improving the functioning of Ethics Committees dedicated to evaluating all aspects of research.
Attendance at these conferences provided insight into the functioning of various Ethics Committees (specifically those on animal experimentation, bioethics, and biosafety) from different universities and public research centers. Topics discussed included scientific integrity and good practices, legal implications and training of committee members, data protection, how to establish a culture of biosafety, and artificial intelligence, among others. It also allowed for the exchange of experiences and information on their applicability in different scenarios and organizations, and to explore current needs and future perspectives. Project follow-up workshops were also held, creating a valuable space for discussion and agreement-making.