Following a successful evaluation last year, the Einstein Center 3R (EC3R) will continue its work from July 1, 2024. Based on the 3R principle, which was developed 65 years ago by William Russel and Rex Burch, the center examines the questions of how animal experiments can be replaced, of how the number of laboratory animals can be reduced or of how the stress put on laboratory animals can be reduced (refine). The center is active in the areas of communication, training, and research.

Research focuses on human 3D organ models, such as organoids - three-dimensional tissue models grown from stem cells - or bioprinting - three-dimensional printed tissue. The aim of the EC3R is to develop robust biomedical models that deliver reproducible results across laboratories. The Einstein Center 3R values networking: in addition to collaborations between the individual research projects on the lungs, heart, brain, neuromuscular junction, liver, and intestine, there are links via two cross-sectional projects that deal with quality aspects. In July, collaboration will begin with a new group that aims to develop a special organ-on-a-chip model for the investigation of vascular diseases.

The Einstein Center 3R brings together expertise from Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Technische Universität Berlin and was established in close cooperation with the Berlin Institute of Health at Charité, the Max Delbrück Center, the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment and the Robert Koch Institute. The center is funded by the Einstein Foundation Berlin until December 2026 with approximately 2.4 million euros.