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The event will be held in English.
Participation is free of charge with a valid registration.
Registration will begin soon.
Welcome
Welcome to the 3R-Symposium NRW 2026: Thinking3R
The landscape of biomedical research is rapidly evolving, driven by the need for innovative, human-relevant models and a strong commitment to animal welfare through the 3R principle (Replace, Reduce, Refine).
Join us on October 21 for this year’s 3R-Symposium NRW in Bochum, hosted under the motto "Thinking3R". Moving beyond a single discipline, this year's scientific program highlights interdisciplinary advancements and the structural developments paving the way for the future of research. Experts from across North Rhine-Westphalia will present cross-cutting topics, including the implementation of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) and advanced ex-vivo models across various medical fields. The sessions will also cover structural innovations and core facility developments designed to foster animal welfare, alongside practical strategies for refinement—ranging from modern behavioral assessments to the responsible handling of complex in-vivo models.
The symposium provides an excellent platform to gain comprehensive insights into the broad application of the 3Rs, engage in vibrant discussions, and expand your scientific network.
Date & Venue: October 21, 2026 | ZESS Interaktionsraum (E0/17), Bochum Time: 9:30 – 15:30 (Followed by an optional guided tour of the new THINK research building)
Together with the Core Facility for Animal Research at Ruhr University Bochum, and with Nora Rautenberg as our local co-organizer, we warmly invite you to connect with the 3R community and help shape modern science with the 3Rs in mind.
Successful participation will be certified with continuing education credits (in accordance with §3 (2) TierSchVersV).
Speakers
Ronald Naumann
Head of the Transgenic Core Facility
Max Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden
Roland Pusch
Director of CoFAR
Ruhr University Bochum
Jochen Salber
Head of Experimental Surgery
Knappschaft Kliniken, Bochum University Hospital
Alexander Sieberath
Department of Experimental Surgery
Knappschaft Kliniken, Bochum University Hospital
David Wiedemann
Department of General Visceral Surgery
St. Josef-Hospital, Bochum University Hospital
Patrick Reinhardt
Dept. of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Preventive Medicine
LWL, Bochum University Hospital
Leonie Deppe
Experimental Eye Research Institute
University Eye Clinic, Knappschaft Kliniken, Bochum University Hospital
Xiaoyu Ke
Experimental Eye Research Institute
University Eye Clinic, Knappschaft Kliniken, Bochum University Hospital
Preliminary Program
> Symposium Opening (09:30 am - 10:15 am)
09:30 am - 10:00 am | Arrival
10:00 am | Welcome, THINK, Introduction
Michael To Vinh, Network Manager
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> Scientific Session 1 (10:15 am - 12:00 pm)
10:15 am | Organizational Development of the Core Facility for Animal Research - Strengthening Structures, Research, and Animal Welfare
Roland Pusch, Ruhr University Bochum
11:00 am | Porcine 3R Models for Retinal Research: Organ and Primary Cell Cultures
Leonie Deppe & Xiaoyu Ke, Bochum University Hospital
11:30 am | Homecage based behavioral approaches to improve animal welfare
Patrick Reinhardt, Bochum University Hospital
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12:00 pm - 13:00 pm | Lunch Break & Networking
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> Keynote Lecture (1:00 pm - 2:00 pm)
1:00 pm | You are the additional 4th R, responsibility in animal research, transgenic models yesterday, today and tomorrow
Ronald Naumann, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden
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2:00 pm - 2:15 pm | Coffee Break
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> Scientific Session 2 (2:15 pm - 3:45 pm)
2:15 pm | 3Rs in Surgical Research durch ex-vivo Simulationsmodell
David Wiedemann, Bochum University Hospital
2:45 pm | Thinking 3R in Bone Implant Interaction Analysis with NAMs
Jochen Salber & Alexander Sieberath, Bochum University Hospital
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> Symposium Closing (3:15 pm - 4:30 pm)
3:15 pm | Farewell & Networking
3:30 pm | Guided tour of THINK (optional)
Venue
Zentrum für das Engineering Smarter Produkt-Service Systeme (ZESS)
Hans-Dobbertin-Straße 8
44803 Bochum
For more information about the venue, please check out the relevant university page here: ZESS
Arrival by public transport
- Mark 51°7: tram line 302 to O-Werk, every 15 minutes from Bochum Hbf (central station)
- Laer Mitte: tram line 310 to Heven, every 30 minutes from Bochum Hbf (central station)
For the updates and more information, please check out the local public transportation here: BOGESTRA
Arrival by car
- Parking is available in the O-Werk car park:
O-Werk Campus car park
Suttner-Nobel-Allee 7, 44803 Bochum
Satellite navigation systems often do not yet recognise Suttner-Nobel-Allee.
You should therefore enter the following address:
Opelring 1, 44803 Bochum