{"id":49066,"date":"2026-06-10T14:30:24","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T12:30:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/?p=49066"},"modified":"2026-06-10T14:38:09","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T12:38:09","slug":"human-models-provide-answers-mice-cannot-give","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/en\/updates\/human-models-provide-answers-mice-cannot-give","title":{"rendered":"\u201cHuman models provide answers that mice cannot provide\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container has-pattern-background has-mask-background nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1040px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:20px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-order-medium:0;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-order-small:0;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-column-has-shadow fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\"><p><strong>In brief:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Researcher Anusca Rader is developing animal-free models to study viruses such as HIV and COVID-19.<\/li>\n<li>She works with human mini-organs (organoids) that mimic the intestine.<\/li>\n<li>These models provide a better picture of what actually happens in the human body than animal testing.<\/li>\n<li>Her research focuses on strengthening human cells against viruses.<\/li>\n<li>According to Anusca, animal-free innovations are not only more animal-friendly, but also more reliable for humans.<\/li>\n<li>She wants to demonstrate that science without animal testing is both possible and better.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-2\"><h2><\/h2>\n<h2>New opportunities in virus research<\/h2>\n<p><strong>\u201cThe crazier animals look, the more I like them,\u201d says researcher Anusca Rader with a laugh when asked about her favorite animal. She doesn&#8217;t have a specific favorite. However, lately she has become an avid birder. She heads out with her camera to spot rare birds. \u201cSometimes I even chase after an escaped pelican in the polder,\u201d she says enthusiastically. That love for animals fits the way she conducts science: human-centered and animal-free.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Only recently, Anusca obtained her PhD at Amsterdam UMC based on research into viruses such as HIV, dengue, and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. In her work, she investigated how these viruses penetrate human cells and how to stop that process. And she did so without using laboratory animals. She will soon start working at Erasmus MC in Rotterdam.<\/p>\n<h2>Human gut models<\/h2>\n<p>For her research, Anusca worked with human models that mimic the gut. She used so-called organoids for this: mini-organs grown in the lab from human cells. But she went a step further. \u201cWith standard organoids, the inside of the intestine is actually hidden on the inside of the model,\u201d she explains. \u201cThat makes it difficult to investigate exactly how a virus enters.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Therefore, the researchers developed a modified model in which the organoids were unfolded and combined with human immune cells. This created a model that more closely resembles the real human intestine. That is important, says Anusca, because viruses often behave very specifically in human cells. \u201cWith infectious diseases, it makes a huge difference whether you are looking at a human, an animal, or even another cell type. That is precisely why we wanted to work with human models.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>With these models, Anusca was able to track how viruses infect human cells: from the first contact to the moment new virus particles are produced.<\/p>\n<h2>Strengthening human cells<\/h2>\n<p>An important part of Anusca\u2019s research revolved around autophagy. This is a natural cleanup and defense system of human cells. Through autophagy, cells can break down damaged parts and clear out unwanted invaders. Instead of attacking the virus itself, Anusca tried to make the human cell stronger.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMany medicines target the virus directly,\u201d she explains. \u201cWe investigated whether we could influence the defense mechanisms of the human cell, so that the virus is less able to spread.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-image-element awb-imageframe-style awb-imageframe-style-below awb-imageframe-style-1\" style=\"text-align:center;--awb-mask-url: url(https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/wp-content\/plugins\/fusion-builder\/\/assets\/images\/masks\/mask-15.svg);--awb-max-width:220px;--awb-caption-title-font-family:&quot;Lato Black&quot;;--awb-caption-title-font-weight:400;--awb-caption-title-font-style:normal;--awb-caption-title-size:var(--h6_typography-font-size);--awb-caption-title-transform:var(--h6_typography-text-transform);--awb-caption-title-line-height:var(--h6_typography-line-height);--awb-caption-title-letter-spacing:var(--h6_typography-letter-spacing);\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-1 hover-type-none has-mask\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" alt=\"Alex Garanto\" title=\"Foto Anusca en Carla promotie\" src=\"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Foto-Anusca-en-Carla-promotie-300x200.jpeg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-48937\" srcset=\"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Foto-Anusca-en-Carla-promotie-200x133.jpeg 200w, https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Foto-Anusca-en-Carla-promotie-400x267.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Foto-Anusca-en-Carla-promotie-600x400.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Foto-Anusca-en-Carla-promotie-800x533.jpeg 800w, https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Foto-Anusca-en-Carla-promotie-1200x800.jpeg 1200w, https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/Foto-Anusca-en-Carla-promotie.jpeg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/span><div class=\"awb-imageframe-caption-container\" style=\"text-align:center;\"><div class=\"awb-imageframe-caption\"><h6 class=\"awb-imageframe-caption-title\">Supervisor Carla Ribeiro (left) and Anusca Rader after the defense of her dissertation<\/h6><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:20px;margin-bottom:20px;width:100%;\"><div class=\"fusion-separator-border sep-double\" style=\"--awb-height:20px;--awb-amount:20px;--awb-sep-color:rgba(226,226,226,0);border-color:rgba(226,226,226,0);border-top-width:1px;border-bottom-width:1px;\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-3\"><p>That proved promising. By altering processes related to autophagy, infections with HIV and SARS-CoV-2 could be inhibited in the models. Some of the substances tested for this purpose even already exist as medicines for other conditions. According to Anusca, this demonstrates the potential of human-centered models. \u201cYou can very quickly test various substances in a system that is truly relevant to humans.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Why mouse research does not always work<\/h2>\n<p>An important insight from her research is that animal testing often falls short in virus research. Particularly with HIV, human and animal immune responses appear to differ fundamentally. \u201cFor example, certain monkey species have a protein that protects them better against HIV-like viruses,\u201d she says. \u201cHumans have this protein too, but it does not work in the same way in us. As a result, you cannot simply translate results from animal research to humans.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>According to her, that is precisely why human-centered models are necessary. \u201cOtherwise, you keep modifying animals so that they look more and more like humans. With my research, I want to be a pioneer in developing and implementing animal-free models. I also want to show skeptical colleagues that these models are better than traditional models involving animal testing.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Young scientist in a world full of animal testing<\/h2>\n<p>For although animal-free models are being taken increasingly seriously, animal testing is still the norm in many research fields. Anusca noticed this during her PhD research as well. \u201cAt conferences, researchers often react very enthusiastically. People want to know how they can use such models themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>But as soon as research needs to be published, resistance sometimes arises. \u201cReviewers still ask: why didn&#8217;t you test this in mice as well?\u201d This means that researchers working animal-free have to prove themselves even more. \u201cWe often had to demonstrate using multiple techniques that our results were actually correct.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>Anusca\u2019s research also reveals a larger problem within science: animal methods bias. In this regard, studies *with* animal testing often gain trust or publication opportunities faster than completely animal-free studies. Researchers working with human models are therefore often required to provide additional evidence, even though these models are actually better at predicting what happens in the human body. According to Anusca, it is time for innovative, human-centered science to be judged on its own merits \u2014 and no longer be automatically compared to animal testing.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Nevertheless, Anusca sees the development moving in the right direction. Especially since the coronavirus pandemic, interest in animal-free, human-centered models has grown enormously. According to her, these techniques could be crucial in the future during new pandemics. \u201cSpeed \u200b\u200bis a major advantage. Many models already exist. This allows you to test medicines immediately as soon as a new virus emerges.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Why the future is human-centered<\/h2>\n<p>For Anusca, the choice for animal-free research is not only scientific but also personal. She grew up with animals and struggles with the idea that animals suffer for research that often proves to have limited applicability to humans. \u201cIf animal testing really solved all diseases, it might be a different story,\u201d she says. \u201cBut that is not how it works. There is a lot of animal suffering, while many results are ultimately not directly applicable to humans.\u201d According to her, the future therefore lies in human-centered science: models directly based on human biology that better predict what happens in patients. \u201cIf we really want to understand how diseases work in humans, we must invest in human models. That is where the innovation lies. Not in even better mouse models. Human models provide answers that mice cannot provide.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-4\"><h2>Our contribution to human-centered research<\/h2>\n<p>Through her research, Anusca demonstrates the significant potential of animal-free, human-centered models for virus research. By using human models instead of animal testing, infections with HIV and SARS-CoV-2 could be inhibited and various substances could be tested rapidly.<\/p>\n<p>We believe it is important to support researchers like Anusca: young scientists who show that things can be done differently. By stimulating and highlighting animal-free innovations, we are working together, step by step, towards a future without animal testing.<\/p>\n<p>Our goal is an animal-free world that is better for both animals and humans, but naturally, we cannot achieve this alone. That is why we support scientists who make animal-free innovation possible. Are you conducting animal-free research, or would you like to? You can apply for support from us.<\/p>\n<\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><a class=\"fusion-button button-flat fusion-button-default-size button-custom fusion-button-default button-1 fusion-button-default-span fusion-button-default-type\" style=\"--button_accent_color:#ffffff;--button_accent_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_border_hover_color:#ffffff;--button_gradient_top_color:#d47c22;--button_gradient_bottom_color:#d47c22;--button_gradient_top_color_hover:#5aa86c;--button_gradient_bottom_color_hover:#5aa86c;\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/samenwerkingsmogelijkheden\"><span class=\"fusion-button-text awb-button__text awb-button__text--default\">More information about the terms and conditions!<\/span><\/a><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-5\"><p><strong>About Proefdiervrij<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><em>How we treat animals says something about who we are as a society. Especially when those animals are used in research intended to make people better. Proefdiervrij works towards a world without animal testing by making human-centered, animal-free science visible and accelerating it.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>That change is already underway. Increasingly, animal testing is being replaced by human-centered models that better show what happens inside the human body. Yet, animal testing often remains the standard. With 2030 as the target, we are working towards a tipping point where animal-free methods are the norm. In this way, we help let go of what no longer fits and build research that helps people, without using animals unnecessarily.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":41,"featured_media":49031,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[962,963,966],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-49066","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-updates","category-blogs","category-science"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49066","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/41"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=49066"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49066\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":49074,"href":"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49066\/revisions\/49074"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/49031"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=49066"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=49066"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/proefdiervrij.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=49066"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}