Our conference "Advancements in Animal-Free Research and Translational Medicine" will promote novel non-animal approaches that are essential for progress in translational medical research. The focus will be on the development and validation of serum substitutes, paving the way for ethical and scientifically sound alternatives. After an overview of the principles of cell culture and stem cells, presentations will be given on applications and hands-on experiences in the lab. Speakers will highlight the use of Fetal Bovine Serum (FBS), Serum Alternatives, and Serum-free Media with case studies of serum-free, xeno-free, and defined in vitro applications.
Numerous innovative applications will be highlighted throughout the day. We will discuss the translational applicability and challenges associated with mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) in the therapeutic context. Moreover, we will look at the utilization of human adipocyte spheroids as an innovative model for obesity research to provide insights into the in vitro capabilities for physiologically relevant conditions. Lastly, the scalability of cardiac organoids for preclinical applications will be demonstrated, establishing their importance for cardiovascular research and pharmacological advances. Alongside fantastic talks, the conference will be a fruitful environment for discussions and the fostering of new collaboration.