Emily R. Trunnell, Ph.D.
@ertrunnell.bsky.social
neuroscientist 🧠 | Director @ https://www.scienceadvancement.org/ | Moving U.S. biomedical research toward humans & away from other animals | she/her/hers
In this preprint, @stanford.edu scientists present Hybprinter, a 3D hybrid #bioprinting platform that combines soft hydrogels with rigid biomaterials in a single, continuous process.
@bioe-stanford.bsky.social
@stanfordmedicine.bsky.social
🧪
@bioe-stanford.bsky.social
@stanfordmedicine.bsky.social
🧪
November 24, 2025 at 12:58 AM
In this preprint, @stanford.edu scientists present Hybprinter, a 3D hybrid #bioprinting platform that combines soft hydrogels with rigid biomaterials in a single, continuous process.
@bioe-stanford.bsky.social
@stanfordmedicine.bsky.social
🧪
@bioe-stanford.bsky.social
@stanfordmedicine.bsky.social
🧪
🚨 BREAKING: The CDC will end all experiments on monkeys.
Fate of ~200 macaques is uncertain, but an agency representative recently contacted a sanctuary: "He wanted to know how many monkeys we could take immediately ... and whether it would be possible to retire all of them within a year."
Fate of ~200 macaques is uncertain, but an agency representative recently contacted a sanctuary: "He wanted to know how many monkeys we could take immediately ... and whether it would be possible to retire all of them within a year."
November 21, 2025 at 5:13 PM
🚨 BREAKING: The CDC will end all experiments on monkeys.
Fate of ~200 macaques is uncertain, but an agency representative recently contacted a sanctuary: "He wanted to know how many monkeys we could take immediately ... and whether it would be possible to retire all of them within a year."
Fate of ~200 macaques is uncertain, but an agency representative recently contacted a sanctuary: "He wanted to know how many monkeys we could take immediately ... and whether it would be possible to retire all of them within a year."
"The center of gravity in drug development is shifting from animal-first to human-relevant by design."
@insphero.bsky.social CSO Madhu Nag talks paradigm shifts and changing gears from proof to implementation.
🔗 insphero.com/human-centri...
#NAMs 🧪
@insphero.bsky.social CSO Madhu Nag talks paradigm shifts and changing gears from proof to implementation.
🔗 insphero.com/human-centri...
#NAMs 🧪
November 20, 2025 at 1:40 PM
"The center of gravity in drug development is shifting from animal-first to human-relevant by design."
@insphero.bsky.social CSO Madhu Nag talks paradigm shifts and changing gears from proof to implementation.
🔗 insphero.com/human-centri...
#NAMs 🧪
@insphero.bsky.social CSO Madhu Nag talks paradigm shifts and changing gears from proof to implementation.
🔗 insphero.com/human-centri...
#NAMs 🧪
🍼 Milk: good for babies… and organoids too?
Majood & Rao argue human milk—a living fluid rich in cells, bioactive molecules, & microbiome—could transform lactation biology & contamination research.
💡It's also a vital cell source for the development of 3D mammary #organoid models. 🧪
Majood & Rao argue human milk—a living fluid rich in cells, bioactive molecules, & microbiome—could transform lactation biology & contamination research.
💡It's also a vital cell source for the development of 3D mammary #organoid models. 🧪
![A dark purple, magenta, and white graphic with the following quote: “"[S]tudies on lactation historically rely heavily on animal models which fail to fully recapitulate human lactation physiology, or on healthy breast tissue that is difficult to obtain, especially during lactation, and has limited scalability. Differences between human and animal models include the number and location of mammary glands, the timing and trajectory of mammary gland development, and the composition of milk." The quote is attributed to the linked paper by Misba Majood & Rajini Rao in Pediatric Research, 2025. On the left, a photo of an infant nursing at their mother’s breast.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:in2pnzujy66a7qnesoxha6ar/bafkreievrsjxvz6knlexigeepmj7umheaubntfq2um2nsyx2kx3fovn2c4@jpeg)
November 20, 2025 at 1:33 PM
🍼 Milk: good for babies… and organoids too?
Majood & Rao argue human milk—a living fluid rich in cells, bioactive molecules, & microbiome—could transform lactation biology & contamination research.
💡It's also a vital cell source for the development of 3D mammary #organoid models. 🧪
Majood & Rao argue human milk—a living fluid rich in cells, bioactive molecules, & microbiome—could transform lactation biology & contamination research.
💡It's also a vital cell source for the development of 3D mammary #organoid models. 🧪
Nice perspective by @unpopularscience.bsky.social in @currentaffairs.bsky.social.
Debates on AI consciousness persist, yet the scientific consensus on animal consciousness is robust & necessitates a change in assumptions.
#bioethics #animalrights
Debates on AI consciousness persist, yet the scientific consensus on animal consciousness is robust & necessitates a change in assumptions.
#bioethics #animalrights
November 19, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Nice perspective by @unpopularscience.bsky.social in @currentaffairs.bsky.social.
Debates on AI consciousness persist, yet the scientific consensus on animal consciousness is robust & necessitates a change in assumptions.
#bioethics #animalrights
Debates on AI consciousness persist, yet the scientific consensus on animal consciousness is robust & necessitates a change in assumptions.
#bioethics #animalrights
The bottom line? The UK is now taking the lead in this much-needed paradigm shift.
The ball is in NIH's court. Now that the shutdown is over, let's hope to see promises put into action.
The ball is in NIH's court. Now that the shutdown is over, let's hope to see promises put into action.
November 18, 2025 at 5:24 PM
The bottom line? The UK is now taking the lead in this much-needed paradigm shift.
The ball is in NIH's court. Now that the shutdown is over, let's hope to see promises put into action.
The ball is in NIH's court. Now that the shutdown is over, let's hope to see promises put into action.
The US has undertake government-initiated surveys on the public opinion's on animal experimentation. Glad to see the UK will begin this again. Globally, public support for this practice has been dropping for decades.
Accountability will also be key. We don't promises alone. We want lives saves.
Accountability will also be key. We don't promises alone. We want lives saves.
November 18, 2025 at 5:24 PM
The US has undertake government-initiated surveys on the public opinion's on animal experimentation. Glad to see the UK will begin this again. Globally, public support for this practice has been dropping for decades.
Accountability will also be key. We don't promises alone. We want lives saves.
Accountability will also be key. We don't promises alone. We want lives saves.
Existing animal protocol review (both in the UK & UK) has been woefully incomplete without experts in non-animal methods being able to weigh in on decisions. IACUCs, AWERBS, & similar bodies simply don't have the expertise to know if a hypothesis could be answered, or slightly modified, to fit NAMs.
November 18, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Existing animal protocol review (both in the UK & UK) has been woefully incomplete without experts in non-animal methods being able to weigh in on decisions. IACUCs, AWERBS, & similar bodies simply don't have the expertise to know if a hypothesis could be answered, or slightly modified, to fit NAMs.
The #forcedswimtest (FST) is the only test used in basic research or disease modeling that gets a spot in the 'baskets,' & its unwisely placed in the category of needing validated alternatives.
The FST is a rubbish test to start. Full stop. Ending it now would only have positive outcomes.
The FST is a rubbish test to start. Full stop. Ending it now would only have positive outcomes.
November 18, 2025 at 5:24 PM
The #forcedswimtest (FST) is the only test used in basic research or disease modeling that gets a spot in the 'baskets,' & its unwisely placed in the category of needing validated alternatives.
The FST is a rubbish test to start. Full stop. Ending it now would only have positive outcomes.
The FST is a rubbish test to start. Full stop. Ending it now would only have positive outcomes.
Also key is intervening early with info & Qs about non-animal approaches early in the assessment of animal experiment proposals, as well as increased awareness of these technologies.
But hope for basic research reform is dashed when we get to the strategy's '3 baskets' outlining timelines.
But hope for basic research reform is dashed when we get to the strategy's '3 baskets' outlining timelines.
November 18, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Also key is intervening early with info & Qs about non-animal approaches early in the assessment of animal experiment proposals, as well as increased awareness of these technologies.
But hope for basic research reform is dashed when we get to the strategy's '3 baskets' outlining timelines.
But hope for basic research reform is dashed when we get to the strategy's '3 baskets' outlining timelines.
Perhaps two of the most impactful moves, if well executed, will be providing ECRs with non-animal methods training & addressing #AnimalMethodsBias in publishing. For the latter, it should certainly consult @thecolaab.bsky.social!
Will be very interested to see the target areas.
🤞sepsis 🤞
Will be very interested to see the target areas.
🤞sepsis 🤞
November 18, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Perhaps two of the most impactful moves, if well executed, will be providing ECRs with non-animal methods training & addressing #AnimalMethodsBias in publishing. For the latter, it should certainly consult @thecolaab.bsky.social!
Will be very interested to see the target areas.
🤞sepsis 🤞
Will be very interested to see the target areas.
🤞sepsis 🤞
The next three slides summarize the UK's plans for basic, or 'discovery,' research.
To start, the government will create a preclinical translational models hub (similar to the NIH SOM center), devote more $$ to non-animal methods, & prioritize NAMs proposals for funding.
To start, the government will create a preclinical translational models hub (similar to the NIH SOM center), devote more $$ to non-animal methods, & prioritize NAMs proposals for funding.
November 18, 2025 at 5:24 PM
The next three slides summarize the UK's plans for basic, or 'discovery,' research.
To start, the government will create a preclinical translational models hub (similar to the NIH SOM center), devote more $$ to non-animal methods, & prioritize NAMs proposals for funding.
To start, the government will create a preclinical translational models hub (similar to the NIH SOM center), devote more $$ to non-animal methods, & prioritize NAMs proposals for funding.
As with most progress on non-animal methods, the UK plan is far more developed in addressing regulatory testing than research.
This progress is good, but more needs to be done for basic research & disease modeling, where there is no legal requirement to use animals in the first place.
This progress is good, but more needs to be done for basic research & disease modeling, where there is no legal requirement to use animals in the first place.
November 18, 2025 at 5:24 PM
As with most progress on non-animal methods, the UK plan is far more developed in addressing regulatory testing than research.
This progress is good, but more needs to be done for basic research & disease modeling, where there is no legal requirement to use animals in the first place.
This progress is good, but more needs to be done for basic research & disease modeling, where there is no legal requirement to use animals in the first place.
Last week, the UK released its "Replacing animals in science" roadmap.
In the SAO graphics in this 🧵, I've broken down the strategy's impact on animal use for basic & translational research, compared it with NIH's actions & promises, & highlighted critical gaps & flaws.
#scipol 🧪
In the SAO graphics in this 🧵, I've broken down the strategy's impact on animal use for basic & translational research, compared it with NIH's actions & promises, & highlighted critical gaps & flaws.
#scipol 🧪
November 18, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Last week, the UK released its "Replacing animals in science" roadmap.
In the SAO graphics in this 🧵, I've broken down the strategy's impact on animal use for basic & translational research, compared it with NIH's actions & promises, & highlighted critical gaps & flaws.
#scipol 🧪
In the SAO graphics in this 🧵, I've broken down the strategy's impact on animal use for basic & translational research, compared it with NIH's actions & promises, & highlighted critical gaps & flaws.
#scipol 🧪
Also, congrats to @medschool.umaryland.edu's @genomescience.bsky.social on its 5-year $14.5M Human Virome Program grant to establish its Consortium Organization and Data Collaboration Center.
Run by Owen White, Michelle Giglio, & @hutlab.bsky.social.
www.medschool.umaryland.edu/news/2025/ni...
Run by Owen White, Michelle Giglio, & @hutlab.bsky.social.
www.medschool.umaryland.edu/news/2025/ni...
November 17, 2025 at 3:59 AM
Also, congrats to @medschool.umaryland.edu's @genomescience.bsky.social on its 5-year $14.5M Human Virome Program grant to establish its Consortium Organization and Data Collaboration Center.
Run by Owen White, Michelle Giglio, & @hutlab.bsky.social.
www.medschool.umaryland.edu/news/2025/ni...
Run by Owen White, Michelle Giglio, & @hutlab.bsky.social.
www.medschool.umaryland.edu/news/2025/ni...
Join us in advocating for a future where diabetes research is smarter, faster, & more humane.
Sign the Research Modernization NOW open letter. www.scienceadvancement.org/open-letter-...
#DiabetesAwareness #DiabetesAwarenessMonth #WDD
Sign the Research Modernization NOW open letter. www.scienceadvancement.org/open-letter-...
#DiabetesAwareness #DiabetesAwarenessMonth #WDD
November 14, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Join us in advocating for a future where diabetes research is smarter, faster, & more humane.
Sign the Research Modernization NOW open letter. www.scienceadvancement.org/open-letter-...
#DiabetesAwareness #DiabetesAwarenessMonth #WDD
Sign the Research Modernization NOW open letter. www.scienceadvancement.org/open-letter-...
#DiabetesAwareness #DiabetesAwarenessMonth #WDD
SAO's #ResearchModernizationNOW lays out practical steps for replacing outdated animal experiments with cutting-edge, human-focused science.
See page 27 to read more about why this change is so critical for diabetes research: www.peta.org/wp-content/u...
See page 27 to read more about why this change is so critical for diabetes research: www.peta.org/wp-content/u...
November 14, 2025 at 1:58 PM
SAO's #ResearchModernizationNOW lays out practical steps for replacing outdated animal experiments with cutting-edge, human-focused science.
See page 27 to read more about why this change is so critical for diabetes research: www.peta.org/wp-content/u...
See page 27 to read more about why this change is so critical for diabetes research: www.peta.org/wp-content/u...
At @michiganstateu.bsky.social, @aaguirre1980.bsky.social et al. used human heart #organoids to mimic early heart development in #gestationaldiabetes, revealing its impact on infant heart cell function & metabolism.
@stemcellreports.bsky.social: doi.org/10.1016/j.st...
@stemcellreports.bsky.social: doi.org/10.1016/j.st...
November 14, 2025 at 1:58 PM
At @michiganstateu.bsky.social, @aaguirre1980.bsky.social et al. used human heart #organoids to mimic early heart development in #gestationaldiabetes, revealing its impact on infant heart cell function & metabolism.
@stemcellreports.bsky.social: doi.org/10.1016/j.st...
@stemcellreports.bsky.social: doi.org/10.1016/j.st...
At @cea.fr, Tubbs et al. combined human 3D blood vessel #organoids with pancreatic islets to form #assembloids.
This vascularized model could help scientists understand why transplanted islets fail so often in #T1D patients.
@cp-cellreports.bsky.social: doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...
This vascularized model could help scientists understand why transplanted islets fail so often in #T1D patients.
@cp-cellreports.bsky.social: doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...
November 14, 2025 at 1:58 PM
At @cea.fr, Tubbs et al. combined human 3D blood vessel #organoids with pancreatic islets to form #assembloids.
This vascularized model could help scientists understand why transplanted islets fail so often in #T1D patients.
@cp-cellreports.bsky.social: doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...
This vascularized model could help scientists understand why transplanted islets fail so often in #T1D patients.
@cp-cellreports.bsky.social: doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...
Scientists at @ufbme.bsky.social partnered w nPOD to collect live human pancreas slices from organ donors.
@molliehuber.bsky.social, @eaphelps.bsky.social et al. found evidence that beta cell dysfunction begins before most cells are destroyed.
@cp-cellreports.bsky.social doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...
@molliehuber.bsky.social, @eaphelps.bsky.social et al. found evidence that beta cell dysfunction begins before most cells are destroyed.
@cp-cellreports.bsky.social doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...
November 14, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Scientists at @ufbme.bsky.social partnered w nPOD to collect live human pancreas slices from organ donors.
@molliehuber.bsky.social, @eaphelps.bsky.social et al. found evidence that beta cell dysfunction begins before most cells are destroyed.
@cp-cellreports.bsky.social doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...
@molliehuber.bsky.social, @eaphelps.bsky.social et al. found evidence that beta cell dysfunction begins before most cells are destroyed.
@cp-cellreports.bsky.social doi.org/10.1016/j.ce...
💡 The future lies in human-based approaches—advanced in vitro systems, organoids, & computational models that capture the complexity & heterogeneity of diabetes & pave the way for precision therapies.
Let's take a look at a few recent findings in the field of human-relevant diabetes research. ⬇️
Let's take a look at a few recent findings in the field of human-relevant diabetes research. ⬇️
November 14, 2025 at 1:58 PM
💡 The future lies in human-based approaches—advanced in vitro systems, organoids, & computational models that capture the complexity & heterogeneity of diabetes & pave the way for precision therapies.
Let's take a look at a few recent findings in the field of human-relevant diabetes research. ⬇️
Let's take a look at a few recent findings in the field of human-relevant diabetes research. ⬇️
For more on the shortcomings of #animalmodels of #T2D & what should replace them, check out this series of @pcrm.org reviews by Chandrasekera, Pippin, @drnealbarnard.pcrm.org, Lai, Wang, Ali, & Bunner in Curr Diabetes Rev, WJD, ALTEX, Nutr Diabetes, & ATLA.
November 14, 2025 at 1:58 PM
For more on the shortcomings of #animalmodels of #T2D & what should replace them, check out this series of @pcrm.org reviews by Chandrasekera, Pippin, @drnealbarnard.pcrm.org, Lai, Wang, Ali, & Bunner in Curr Diabetes Rev, WJD, ALTEX, Nutr Diabetes, & ATLA.
🐁 Rodents ≠ humans: Genes, insulin signaling, pancreatic structure, glucose clearance, & disease course all differ.
🥸 Lab extremes: Hyperglycemia & high-fat diets warp mechanisms.
🫀 Rodents resist key comorbidities & complications.
The result?
Massive investment, minimal clinical impact.
🥸 Lab extremes: Hyperglycemia & high-fat diets warp mechanisms.
🫀 Rodents resist key comorbidities & complications.
The result?
Massive investment, minimal clinical impact.
November 14, 2025 at 1:58 PM
🐁 Rodents ≠ humans: Genes, insulin signaling, pancreatic structure, glucose clearance, & disease course all differ.
🥸 Lab extremes: Hyperglycemia & high-fat diets warp mechanisms.
🫀 Rodents resist key comorbidities & complications.
The result?
Massive investment, minimal clinical impact.
🥸 Lab extremes: Hyperglycemia & high-fat diets warp mechanisms.
🫀 Rodents resist key comorbidities & complications.
The result?
Massive investment, minimal clinical impact.