The closure is a direct result of the reorganisation at TNW, the lab manager confirms. Of the three researchers who required animal testing, two have been dismissed. As a result, there is no longer sufficient need to keep the facility running. The remaining researcher can, when necessary, carry out work at Radboudumc’s Central Animal Laboratory in Nijmegen, which follows the same ethical and procedural guidelines.
According to UT’s 2024 annual report, a total of 534 animals were used for research that year. The 454 mice and 80 rats were involved in fundamental studies on cancer, gastrointestinal and liver diseases, and nerve research.
Not all animal testing can yet be replaced, but advances in stem cell and organ-on-a-chip technologies have made much progress. Last year, Executive Board vice-president Machteld Roos stated that the Netherlands aims to be a global frontrunner in animal-free innovation and that UT can contribute to that goal. The Organ-on-Chip Centre Twente is already working in this area.
In an unsolicited advisory note, the University Council wrote that it still wishes to be kept informed about any animal testing conducted in UT’s name. According to the lab manager, this will naturally remain the case, as the Nijmegen facility operates under the same regulations and therefore reports on all its activities.
