Serum-free cell culture: the serum-free media interactive online database.

Fetal bovine serum (FBS) is a ubiquitously used essential supplement in cell culture media. However, there are serious scientific and ethical concerns about the use of FBS regarding its harvest and production. During the last three decades, FBS could be substituted by other supplements or by the use of defined chemical components in serum-free cell culture.

[Austria: fewer experimental animals used in 2005].

The number of animals used in experiments in Austria decreased in 2005 by 10%. This overall positive development must be regarded critically, as the number of big mammals, e.g.

The "3R" concept in the Internet I.

More and more members of the scientific community interested in 3R related topics of animal experiments are using Internet-Homepages as a low-budget forum to present either their scientific results, or opinions on specific subjects or to announce publications. Supra/inter/national authorities/universities/laboratories are also offering information, documents, access to databases and much more to the interested public. Therefore the Internet is an advantageous new medium for 3R related subjects.

Animal experiments and animal consuming methods in teaching on Austrian universities.

Because of the fact, that throughout the world students have to fight for training without animal testing, our findings, that there are just 6 (2.4%) institutes, where such tests are compulsory, are quite stunning. Even 5 out of these departments do accept alternative training methods.