Working with Animals

Animal research at the Franklin

The Franklin aims to find new pathways to improve human health, developing cutting-edge technology and providing leaps in knowledge and capability and which bridge gaps in the current scientific landscape in the UK. Tissue samples from animal models enable the development of these technologies to advance the understanding of health and disease.

The Franklin is proud to have esteemed partners, such as the Mary Lyon Centre (MLC) at MRC Harwell, amongst others, with whom we conduct this work. The Franklin and its partners are all deeply committed to the welfare of the animals and the principles of the 3Rs (Reduction, Replacement and Refinement). Therefore, all of the work carried out is deemed essential and there is no other way of doing this work without using an animal model. The Franklin has tissue culture facilities that includes the use of human cell lines that, where possible, are used instead. 

We operate as an MLC outpost and any animal work conducted in the Franklin is regulated under the MLC establishment licence – our project proposals are reviewed in line with government guidelines by their highly trained and experienced teams, which includes animal welfare officers, veterinary surgeons and experienced facility staff. Projects are also assessed by “lay” persons, who provide input outside of the scientific perspective.