Improving the Translational Impact of Animal Models in Musculoskeletal Research Through Better Study Design, Conduct and Reporting

摘要

The use of animals in biomedical research remains a contentious and often polarizing topic within society. Advances in non-animal alternatives such as cell and organ culture, organ on chips and computational modelling offer real potential for studying the acute response to drugs, devices and biophysical stimuli, but still suffer from serious limitations with regard to their ability to integrate dynamic system-wide responses such as immune responses, tissue healing and repair. While there remains a critical role for animal studies in musculoskeletal research, the last decade has seen a move towards increasing awareness and regulatory oversight of the use of animals.