Bios⁺ receives the Culture of Care Award 2025 for its commitment to the welfare of laboratory animals

The Culture of Care working group at Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) – active within the Bellinzona Institutes of Science (Bios⁺) – has received the Culture of Care Award 2025. The award is presented by the Swiss 3R Competence Centre to recognise outstanding initiatives that promote a culture of care for animals used in research.

The jury commended the group's systematic and participatory approach, describing it as a model that can be transferred to other institutions: a strategy that integrates the voices of the entire research community – animal care staff, researchers, veterinarians and administrators – with the shared goal of raising welfare standards.

The award was presented on 3 December 2025 in Zurich, during the annual conference of the Swiss Society for Laboratory Animal Science (SGV), to Cristina Torcasio, laboratory manager at the Institute of Cancer Research (IOR), representing the working group.

Also present at the ceremony were Melania Osto, Laura Terzaghi, Deborah Piffaretti and Davide Manfredini, members of the working group who contributed to the initiative's development.

A collaborative and 3R-oriented approach

Established in 2024, the Culture of Care group brings together different skills and roles within Bios⁺ to improve communication, transparency and animal welfare practices. Among the main results achieved are:

• Improved internal communication through the launch of the Teams platform, Mouse Research Community, a hub dedicated to SOPs, training resources and feedback exchange.
• Standardisation of procedures with the development of shared SOPs to facilitate licence applications, enhance reproducibility and simplify processes.
• Training and community engagement through events such as Lab Technician Week and the seminar "Culture of Care in Action: From Ideas to Impact", as well as workshops dedicated to study planning and animal welfare.

With institutional support, the group is also planning new internal surveys, dedicated awards and funding mechanisms to consolidate and expand its impact.

A model for responsible research

In its reasoning, the jury highlighted the initiative's innovation, inclusivity and ability to go beyond regulatory requirements, fostering an environment that values both animal welfare and the well-being of the staff involved. Bios⁺'s approach was described as "unique and inspiring" and cited as a possible benchmark for other research centres.

The Culture of Care Award is part of the mission of the 3RCC, which promotes ethical, transparent research practices based on the 3Rs principle: replacement, reduction and refinement of animal experiments.

Research with animal models at Bios⁺

At Bios⁺, animal models, particularly rodents, are essential tools for advancing research in immunology, oncology, and translational sciences. The rigorous application of the 3Rs guides every phase of the studies, combining scientific progress with respect for animal welfare.

About Bios⁺

The Bellinzona Institutes of Science (Bios⁺) is a non-profit association that coordinates the scientific research and training activities of its members to develop a life sciences hub of national and international importance. Its members include the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), the Institute of Oncology Research (IOR) and, from 2025, the Institute for Translational Research.

The Culture of Care working group contributes to the mission of Bios⁺ by promoting an ethical, sustainable and excellence-oriented environment for the benefit of scientific research and education.