Reducing the use of animals in research into blood clotting

Joint NC3Rs/BHF PhD Studentship: Fusogenic liposomes: the innovative delivery of compounds into human platelets to reduce animal use in platelet research (Dr Alice Pollitt)

Platelets are small cells in the blood that are important for our blood to clot properly. They play a central role, not only in stopping excess bleeding after injury, but in the formation of dangerous blood clots in arteries that can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Platelet research is currently very reliant on studies involving genetically engineered mice. We’ve teamed up with The National Centre for the Replacement Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research (NC3Rs) to design new research methods that do not involve animals. These researchers are aiming to overcome some of the challenges of platelet research in the lab, which have led to the greater use of experimental animals. They will tackle these challenges by developing an innovative way for scientists to insert molecules of choice inside platelets. They’ll use tiny ‘envelopes’ that carry the molecules into the platelet – the molecules can then get to work in whatever way the researcher designs. Being able to manipulate platelets in this new way might open up avenues of research using human platelets, and reduce the need to use animals.