Laboratory receives award for seafood toxin test that provides an alternative to animal testing

Four members of AgResearch’s Biomembrane Laboratory have been selected as the recipients of the 2008 National Animal Ethics Advisory Committee (NAEAC) Three Rs Award.

Dr Julie Dalziel, Thai Phung, Dr Yan-Li Zhang and Dr James Dunlop receive the award in recognition of their work in developing a prototype assay test for seafood toxins that has the potential to replace testing on mice.

When algal toxins bind to voltage-gated sodium ion channels (VGSCs) they disrupt normal nerve and muscle function and can produce poisoning neurological effects that range from irritated nasal passages and coughing, to ataxia and paralysis. This new prototype assay test uses VGSC from human skeletal muscle to test the safety of potentially contaminated shellfish and drinking water. Currently the main internationally validated biological method to measure toxicity is testing on mice. This research aims to develop an alternative method to reduce the number of laboratory mice required to test neurotoxicity of algal toxins in contaminated shellfish.

The prototype test measures the effects of toxins and other compounds rapidly (in about an hour), compared with the days required when using mice. It also has the potential to be developed into a user friendly format that could be used outside the laboratory.

The Biomembrane Laboratory is now also using this assay technology to develop a test to detect the wanted and unwanted effects of potential new drugs.

NAEAC selected the Biomembrane Laboratory from several high calibre nominations for this year’s Award. The committee considered the group’s development of the seafood toxin test to be cutting edge technology with the potential to greatly reduce the numbers of laboratory mice used in shellfish toxin testing.

The concept of the Three Rs, from which the award takes its name, is to replace live animal subjects, reduce the number of animals used and refine experimental techniques to minimise pain and distress.

“The Three Rs are the cornerstone of the ethical use of animals in research, testing and teaching,” said NAEAC chairperson, John Martin. “This award celebrates achievements in the implementation of the Three Rs and promotes the concept within the scientific community and to the wider public.”

“This prototype has the potential to contribute significantly to the reduction of the use of animals in testing. The in vitro test developed by the Biomembrane Laboratory may lead to an alternative technique to animal testing, which would reduce the numbers of laboratory mice required for testing for neurotoxic algal toxins in contaminated shellfish,” Mr Martin said.

This national award is co-ordinated by NAEAC and is now in its sixth year. It is made to an individual, group or institution within New Zealand that epitomises best practice with regard to the Three Rs. This year’s Award was generously sponsored by the Health Research Council of New Zealand.

The Award was presented at the Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART) conference dinner, in Auckland, last night.